Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - North America EU edition

Iowans urgently want updated food laws: Survey

03-Sep-2009 - Ninety percent of Iowan voters would like more government oversight of the food supply, according to a new survey commissioned by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

News in brief

FDA has no objection to GRAS for SweetLeaf stevia

02-Sep-2009 - Wisdom Natural Brands is the latest company to receive a no objection letter from the FDA over GRAS status of its stevia sweetener.

Illinois raises taxes on candy and soft drinks

01-Sep-2009 - Illinois consumers will start paying higher taxes on some soft drinks and candy today under new rules from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

FDA considering industry guidelines for acrylamide

31-Aug-2009 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering issuing guidelines on acrylamide content in food and has published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comments from industry on the issue.

New study to investigate why people ignore food labels

28-Aug-2009 - The FDA is planning to conduct a study to uncover barriers to consumers looking at food labels, in a bid to help consumer understanding and use of information provided on packaging.

Canada adds acrylamide to toxic substance list

26-Aug-2009 - Health Canada has added acrylamide, a substance found in French fries and potato chips, to the government’s list of toxic substances.

FDA issues draft guidance on gluten-free beer labeling

20-Aug-2009 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance on the labeling of beers made with grains other than malted barley and hops, such as sorghum, rice or corn, the agency said on Wednesday.

News in brief

New Philippine FDA to have more control over foods

20-Aug-2009 - The world’s newest food industry regulatory body was set up in Phillipines this week, with the foundation of a new agency modeled on the US FDA.

Consumer case reopened against Snapple’s ‘all-natural’ labels

14-Aug-2009 - A US Court of Appeals in Philadelphia has reopened a consumer-fraud case against Dr Pepper Snapple alleging that Snapple’s ‘all-natural’ label claim is misleading as the drink contains an artificial sweetener.

Breaking down Canadian health claims… as change awaits

12-Aug-2009 - The use of health claims on food products in Canada could be set for a significant revamp, as the nation’s regulatory body reviews its approach. NutraIngredients-USA.com examines areas of potential amendment and breaks down the current system in anticipation of change.

Gaps in Canadian regulations restrict functional foods, say researchers

11-Aug-2009 - A review of Canada’s regulations governing food and natural health products has again highlighted the “confusion and uncertainty” generated by the system, which it says could be restricting the market potential of foods with health benefits.

FDA publishes details of warning letter overhaul

11-Aug-2009 - A notice detailing the new process for issuing warning letters to food companies that violate safety regulations has been published in the Federal Register, with the program due to begin on September 15.

Weekly comment

FDA’s Commissioner Hamburg: Beefing up US food safety

10-Aug-2009 - It looks like the FDA has finally got some muscle. Never mind new legislation – if anything can prevent America acquiring a weedy reputation for food safety, it’s the might of Dr Margaret Hamburg.

Hamburg details FDA food safety crackdown measures

07-Aug-2009 - FDA chief Margaret Hamburg outlined new measures on Thursday to act “swiftly and aggressively” to crack down on firms that violate safety regulations.

Senate approves $125bn FDA, USDA budget

06-Aug-2009 - The US Senate has approved a $125bn budget for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which includes extra funding for food safety as well as farming subsidies.

Industry body welcomes US and Asia-Pacific food safety measures

03-Aug-2009 - At the APEC meeting in Singapore, Robert Brackett of the GMA has applauded the founding of a food safety training network, just days after the organization praised the House for passing a landmark food safety bill.

New proposals represent shift in food safety strategy, FDA

03-Aug-2009 - The US Government has announced further measures to curb the spread of food-borne diseases such as E.coli just days after lawmakers approved the bill overhauling the country’s food safety system.

House passes landmark food safety bill

31-Jul-2009 - The US House of Representatives passed a food safety bill on Thursday that promises far-reaching reform of how food is processed and grown, intended to boost food safety and consumer confidence.

Trade liberalization linked to Central American obesity: Study

30-Jul-2009 - Trade liberalization in Central America has led to increased imports and availability of processed food, contributing to nutrition and obesity problems in the region, according to a new study.

US food safety bill defeated - or just delayed?

30-Jul-2009 - The sweeping bill to overhaul the US food safety system was rejected yesterday over fears of imposing excessive burdens on farmers and that its hurried legislative passage had prevented proper scrutiny.

US giving too much food safety control to foreign countries

29-Jul-2009 - The United States is giving away too much control to some foreign countries over food safety as trade concerns over-ride health issues, a leading US politician has said.

News in brief

China tightens food processing laws

27-Jul-2009 - Food producers in China must record all food processing procedures and keep records for least two years under a new food safety regulation that came into force today.

News in brief

FDA seeks comments on Ajinomoto’s Advantame sweetener

24-Jul-2009 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked for comments on Ajinomoto’s request for approval of a new sweetener that it hopes to market under the brand name Advantame.

Don’t wait for fall to act on food safety, says CU

17-Jul-2009 - Every day that Congress delays in passing the Food Safety Enhancement Act puts more lives at risk, Consumers Union is claiming – and had the provisions been in place this year’s ‘deadly peanut debacle’ may never have happened.