Regulation

21-Oct-2005 - This week's passage of the so-called Cheeseburger Bill looks like a straightforward victory for food makers, but the industry should still be wary over the possibility of future litigation.

Senator demands state vetting over global trade accords

17-Oct-2005 - Fears that a WTO settlement could see state power drained and even supplanted by international-level trade accords has alarmed some Senators.

Trans-fat crusader sharpens focus for next battle

14-Oct-2005 - The Californian attorney who sued both Kraft and McDonald's over trans-fats tells FoodNavigator-USA.com how he forced the issue onto the front pages, and what his next plan of action is.

US trade offer breaks WTO deadlock

12-Oct-2005 - A firm commitment from the US to cut domestic farm subsidies by 60 percent within a five-year timeframe could revitalize WTO negotiations and benefit US food makers, according to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).

IFF settles claims with lung-damaged popcorn workers

07-Oct-2005 - A flavoring company has settled claims with 19 popcorn factory workers who claim that a butter flavoring led them to develop lung disease.

School junk food ban must be extended, claims campaigner

05-Oct-2005 - The food industry has been hammered for making children overweight, but one Californian parent believes that banning junk food in schools is redundant unless another legal loophole is dealt with.

FDA tightens anti-bioterrorism measures

03-Oct-2005 - A final ruling that requires all manufacturers to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is designed to ensure that the country's food supply remains safe from possible attack.

FDA abandons stringent salt levels for 'healthy' foods

30-Sep-2005 - The decision to adjust the maximum sodium levels permitted for foods that bear the implied nutrient content claim 'healthy' underlines continued consumer reticence towards low-salt products.

Harkin calls for radical rethink on obesity and nutrition

28-Sep-2005 - Senator Tom Harkin has called for a radical overhaul of USDA food standards in order to drag them into line with current thinking on obesity and nutrition.

GMA urges rejection of 'trade distorting tariffs'

26-Sep-2005 - The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has called for substantial reductions in 'trade distorting tariffs and subsidies' and a rejection of the EU's proposals regarding geographical indications.

Weekly Comment

Food law: friend or foe?

19-Sep-2005 - The food industry is in danger of harming itself with its recent lobbying against the further harmonisation and deepening of EU food regulation.

Food industry welcomes tighter self-regulation in obesity battle

19-Sep-2005 - New recommendations designed to strengthen self-regulation in children's advertising and tackle obesity have been welcomed by Grocery Manufacturers Association.

Consumer group blames business dollars for defeat of COOL

16-Sep-2005 - Millions of dollars spent in lobbying and elections has helped thwart a key food labeling law, claims a US consumer pressure group.

Trans fats task force backs new labeling regime

02-Sep-2005 - An interim report from Canada's Trans Fat Task Force has underlined the importance of new labeling regulations in reducing trans fat consumption.

California acrylamide lawsuit 'contrary to public interest'

02-Sep-2005 - The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) has attacked California Attorney-General Bill Lockyer's lawsuit against a number of high-profile food firms as "unfortunate and contrary to the interest of public health."

California sues food firms over acrylamide

31-Aug-2005 - The state of California is suing nine top food manufacturers over their reluctance to issue warnings that some popular snacks could contain a potential cancer-causing chemical.

Unpasteurized juice poses serious health risk, says FDA

29-Aug-2005 - Untreated juices are still causing serious outbreaks of foodborne illness across America, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, warning consumers to be extra careful.

LycoMato approved as color additive in food

17-Aug-2005 - The FDA's imminent amendment of its color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of LycoMato tomato lycopene extract is good news for the company behind the product.

CAFTA a victory for food makers, says GMA

03-Aug-2005 - The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has hailed the House of Representatives' passing of the Central American - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) as victory for US food makers.

Food industry joins forces to fight terrorism

01-Aug-2005 - A new collaboration between government and private industry has been initiated in order to protect the nation's food supply from terrorist threats.

Sweetener label ruling hits soft drink makers

11-Jul-2005 - The FDA has urged the soft drink industry to review the ingredient statements on their soft drink labels following the withdrawal of a proposed "and/or" ruling on sweeteners.

Trans-fat deadline pushes healthy oil innovations

06-Jul-2005 - The fast-approaching deadline for trans-fat labeling has created enormous momentum behind the development of trans-free oils, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Senate CAFTA approval splits ingredients industry

05-Jul-2005 - Senate approval of the Central American - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) has again divided the ingredients industry.

Organic sector fears decline after ingredients ruling

05-Jul-2005 - There are worries that a district court ruling in Maine banning all synthetic ingredients in products labeled organic could significantly slow the sector's growth, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Trans fat label law offers threats and opportunities

01-Jul-2005 - While some food companies remain petrified that they will not be ready for new trans fat and food allergen labeling requirements, others have recognised the January 1 deadline as an opportunity, writes Anthony Fletcher.