Regulation

04-Oct-2011 - A federal judge has ruled that agricultural processing giant Bunge will not have to process Syngenta’s biotech corn, rejecting Syngenta’s request that Bunge should be obliged to accept the corn until a lawsuit is resolved.

Super strength drinks firm bullish despite ‘deceptive advertising’ claim

04-Oct-2011 - A US firm accused by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of deceptive advertising doesn’t believe it violated any laws, despite agreeing to repackage and label its super-strength alcoholic products.

Industry steams ahead with FOP labeling scheme days before IOM report is due

27-Sep-2011 - Food manufacturers have unveiled plans to pump $50m into promoting the Nutrition Keys front-of-pack (FOP) labeling scheme just days before the release of an independent report on the merits of a range of FOP schemes from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Sugar prices kept artificially high, say US bakers and confectioners on reform path

27-Sep-2011 - Last week, hundreds of confectioners and bakers gathered on Capitol Hill, the meeting place of the US congress, to call for an end to the sugar price support programme, which they claim is keeping sugar prices artificially high and forcing food companies out of business.

Canadian energy drink ‘drug’ designation not in consumer interest, CBA

26-Sep-2011 - Tough new regulations concerning classifying energy drinks as 'stimulant drug containing drinks' in Canada are not in the interest of consumers, according to the Canadian Beverage Association (CBA).

News in brief

FDA makes $6.5m food safety grant

26-Sep-2011 - In a bid to optimise US food safety inspection results, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set aside a $6.5m grant to improve the current food safety system.

North American demand for honey spurs purity certification offering

19-Sep-2011 - A market for Indian honey in the North American market has prompted Intertek to launch a honey certification service for manufacturers and exporters in India.

Campbell settles lawsuit over low sodium label claims

13-Sep-2011 - The Campbell Soup Company has settled a lawsuit for $1.05m, in which four New Jersey women claimed that the company’s ‘less sodium’ claim on tomato soup was misleading.

News in brief

Judge dismisses Hormel lawsuit over ‘natural’ labels

13-Sep-2011 - A federal judge has dismissed Hormel Foods’ claim that meat products containing sodium lactate or potassium lactate are misbranded as ‘natural’, because the USDA has not issued a final agency action, according to court papers.

IFT to lead FDA product tracing pilot studies

13-Sep-2011 - The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has said it will lead two pilot studies for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify the fastest methods for product tracing, as required under the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Senate bill could provide extra $50m FDA funding

09-Sep-2011 - The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an extra $50m of funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 – the only non-security agency to receive increased funding under the appropriations bill.

Law professors: Kids marketing proposals do not violate First Amendment

08-Sep-2011 - An Interagency Working Group’s recommendations for limiting food industry advertising to children do not violate First Amendment rights, according to an advocacy group of law professors in a letter to federal agencies.

Néstle Waters hit with $50m class action

06-Sep-2011 - Néstle Waters is the subject of a $50m class action, filed by a US customer who has accused the drinks giant of an 'oppressive and fraudulent scheme' regarding late payment fees, in a complaint filed with New Jersey Federal Court.

CSPI says Del Monte lawsuit could have ‘chilling’ effect on food safety

05-Sep-2011 - The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has attacked a lawsuit filed by Del Monte against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), saying it could have a chilling effect on the willingness of health officials to recall potentially lethal foods.

Industry commends US Codex reps’ support of science-based standards

02-Sep-2011 - A group of industry and agriculture organizations has commended US representatives attending Codex committee meetings over the past year for their leadership and support of science-based standards.

Kashi accused of misleading consumers with ‘natural’ claims

31-Aug-2011 - The Kellogg Company and its subsidiary Kashi have been accused of inappropriately marketing products as natural, according to a class action lawsuit filed in a southern Californian district court.

Sen. Lugar tours Indiana to rally support for sugar reform bill

30-Aug-2011 - Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) has been touring Indiana as part of a campaign calling for reform of US sugar policy, which he says keeps sugar prices artificially high and costs US jobs.

Obesity crisis needs government action, says Lancet report

29-Aug-2011 - The global obesity epidemic needs a fresh approach – including government intervention – claims a series of research papers published in medical journal The Lancet.

News in brief

Del Monte sues FDA over cantaloupe import restrictions

25-Aug-2011 - Del Monte Fresh Produce, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a Maryland district court, seeking to lift FDA restrictions on cantaloupe imports, put in place due to fears of salmonella contamination.

Bunge claims Syngenta lawsuit could jeopardize US corn exports

24-Aug-2011 - Agricultural processing giant Bunge has said that a lawsuit filed against it by seed firm Syngenta could jeopardize US corn exports to China.

News in brief

US recall after blue chips found in meat

23-Aug-2011 - A US firm is recalling 1,642lb (744.8kg) of ground beef products after blue pieces of plastic where found in the product.

USDA rejects NYC food stamps soda ban

23-Aug-2011 - US Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials have rejected a proposal from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that would have banned sugary drinks from the list of products that can be bought with food stamps.