Regulation

15-Feb-2011 - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed the nation’s first aquaculture policy, which it said responds to growing demand for local, safe, sustainably produced seafood.

General Mills wins right to claim its soups are ‘Now Even Better’

15-Feb-2011 - The National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has approved General Mills’ advertising claim that its Progresso Light Soups are ‘Now Even Better’, despite a challenge from the Campbell Soup Company.

Canada reveals allergen labeling plans

15-Feb-2011 - The Canadian government has unveiled plans to strengthen labeling of allergens and sources of gluten, giving industry 18 months to comply, in order to better inform those with food allergies or celiac disease.

Deregulation of GE biofuel corn raises food contamination fears

14-Feb-2011 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has deregulated a variety of Syngenta corn genetically engineered (GE) to produce alpha-amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into sugar, thereby aiding biofuel production.

Dingell urges funding approval for food safety law

14-Feb-2011 - Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) has urged Congress to approve the $1.4bn of funding estimated to be necessary to implement the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which President Obama signed into law on January 4.

FDA to hire ‘chief outbreak director’

11-Feb-2011 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it is seeking someone to fill the newly created position of chief outbreak director, putting one person in charge of foodborne illness outbreaks, the FDA has said.

Peanut Corp. salmonella victims call for criminal charges against Parnell

11-Feb-2011 - Victims of the salmonella outbreak linked to peanut products from the Peanut Corporation of America called a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Friday to demand criminal charges be brought against the company’s former CEO.

Proposed law aims to promote personal responsibility for obesity

08-Feb-2011 - Minnesota state law would prevent people from suing food companies for making them gain weight, under a revived bill proposed by Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City).

Nutella manufacturer faces lawsuit over nutrition claims

07-Feb-2011 - A consumer class action lawsuit has been filed against Ferrero USA in a San Diego federal court, accusing it of falsely portraying Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread as part of a nutritious breakfast for children.

USDA to partially deregulate GM sugar beets

07-Feb-2011 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided to partially deregulate genetically modified (GM) sugar beets, allowing planting of the crop under certain conditions, despite a court ban.

Comment

Sugar: regulatory sweet nothings leave food and drink makers in limbo

02-Feb-2011 - Jazz singer Nina Simone’s plaintive, “I want a little sugar in my bowl”, will strike the right note with Europe’s beleaguered sugar industry.

Ruling allows Starbucks to end Kraft partnership

01-Feb-2011 - A New York federal court has denied Kraft’s request for a preliminary injunction against Starbucks, paving the way for the coffee giant to end the companies’ packaged coffee distribution agreement on March 1.

News in brief

USDA deregulates GM alfalfa

31-Jan-2011 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided to fully deregulate alfalfa that has been genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to Monsanto’s Roundup-brand herbicide, the agency has said.

Senate bill aims to reform US sugar policy

27-Jan-2011 - US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a new bipartisan bill in the Senate this week intended to phase out the sugar support program, claiming sugar prices are artificially high and cost American jobs.

WHO highlights governments’ role in curbing unhealthy advertising

27-Jan-2011 - Governments should play a more active role in curbing the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages high in saturated fat, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, or salt to children, warns the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Hawaiian governor Abercrombie proposes soda tax

26-Jan-2011 - Hawaiian governor Neil Abercrombie has proposed establishing a tax on soda and similar beverages in the state, in his first State of the State address.

Snapple beats ‘all-natural’ lawsuit

25-Jan-2011 - A federal court judge has rejected a lawsuit against Snapple Beverage Corp. that alleged the company misled consumers by labeling drinks containing high fructose corn syrup as ‘all-natural’.

Reportable Food Registry works to prevent illness, says FDA

24-Jan-2011 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that its Reportable Food Registry (RFR) is working to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks, in its first annual report on its efficacy.

News in brief

Scots bid to end US haggis ban

24-Jan-2011 - Haggis makers in Scotland would experience a boom in export sales if politicians succeed in persuading the US to lift a 40 year-old ban on the traditional dish.

Comment

EC complacency on dioxins weakens Europe’s food safety standing

19-Jan-2011 - The complacency being exhibited by Brussels over the ongoing dioxin contamination incident is every bit as concerning as the carcinogenic chemical that has found its way into the food and feed chains since the end of last year.

Kraft claims ending Starbucks deal would cause ‘irreparable harm’

19-Jan-2011 - Starbucks has filed for early termination of its coffee distribution agreement with Kraft Foods – but Kraft has said that ending the deal early would cause it “irreparable harm”.

Better FDA guidance needed to avoid ‘misleading’ health claims

18-Jan-2011 - The FDA needs to provide better industry guidance on how to avoid making potentially misleading health claims on food labels, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

FDA seeks to halt production at US juice company

18-Jan-2011 - The FDA is seeking the closure of US juice company Mystical One after it failed to implement an HACCP plan or comply with cGMP requirements and then did not respond to an FDA warning letter.

USDA seeks comments on organic label claims

18-Jan-2011 - The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on draft guidance for the labeling of products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.

Cargill: FDA phytosterol CHD claim change will cause “irreparable injury”

14-Jan-2011 - Industry is calling on the FDA to extend the compliance period to proposed changes the agency is making for a phytosterol-based coronary heart disease (CHD)-lowering health claim that will broaden it beyond esterified forms to include free sterol and stanol forms, but may threaten product ranges.