Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - North AmericaEU edition | Asian edition

Health Canada criticized over health claim data

23-Nov-2010 - A former Health Canada official has criticized the agency for failing to publish health claim-backing data, after recently approving an oat fiber-cholesterol health claim.

Kellogg to pay millions in kids’ attention class action settlement

22-Nov-2010 - The Kellogg Company will pay consumers up to $2.75m over misleading kids’ attention claims for its Frosted Mini-Wheats cereals, after a federal judge reached a class action settlement.

National List not spurring innovation in organic ingredients: Study

22-Nov-2010 - The National List of permitted non-organic ingredients in organic foods is not encouraging innovation in organic supply, claims a new paper published in Food Technology.

FDA proposes consumer research into Nutrition Facts format

22-Nov-2010 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it intends to assess consumer reactions to potential changes to Nutrition Facts panels and has requested comments on a proposed study.

Food safety bill stalls in Senate

19-Nov-2010 - The Senate failed to vote on the Food Safety Modernization Act on Thursday, meaning that the bill could be subject to further delay as the Senate breaks for Thanksgiving on Monday.

Senate votes to proceed with food safety bill

18-Nov-2010 - The Senate voted to move forward on the Food Safety Modernization Act on Wednesday, voting 74-25 to limit debate and proceed with the bill.

FDA cracks down on caffeinated alcoholic drinks

18-Nov-2010 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US has launched a crackdown on caffeinated alcoholic drinks following a scientific review of their safety.

Food safety legislation could get Senate vote this week

15-Nov-2010 - Long-stalled food safety legislation could reach the Senate’s agenda this week, while a coalition of 125 organizations continues to push for an amendment to exempt small businesses.

Washington State repeals candy tax

05-Nov-2010 - Washington State voters have elected to repeal a tax on candy, soft drinks and bottled water that took effect earlier this year.

USDA issues draft environmental assessment of GM sugar beets

05-Nov-2010 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) of genetically modified sugar beets, including an option to permit planting of the beets under certain conditions.

News in brief

FDA proposes food safety guidance for fresh-cut fruit and veg

27-Oct-2010 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked for comments on proposed guidance for minimizing food safety hazards in fresh-cut fruit and vegetables.

No US appeal on WTO Chinese poultry imports ruling

27-Oct-2010 - The United States has not appealed a final World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling issued this week that a US ban on Chinese poultry imports was illegal, officially ending the trade dispute.

US citric acid industry claims Chinese firms avoiding antidumping duties

26-Oct-2010 - The American citric acid industry has asked the US Department of Commerce to investigate possible circumvention of antidumping and countervailing duties in place for citric acid imported from China.

Canadian nutrition label campaign to focus on % Daily Value

25-Oct-2010 - Health Canada and Food and Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) have launched a Nutrition Facts Education Campaign, focusing on improving consumer comprehension of % Daily Value amounts.

Comment

Regulatory clarity for nutricosmetics proves elusive

14-Oct-2010 - Somewhere, in some time, there exists a land of beauty and promise for nutricosmetics products, where beauty supplements, foods and drinks can frolic, happy in the knowledge of their justifiable claims.The problem is that getting to this promised land appears to be somewhat complex.

Bisphenol A officially declared toxic by Canada

14-Oct-2010 - Canada became the first country in the world yesterday to declare bisphenol A (BPA) to be a toxic substance that poses risks to human health and the environment.

Congressman Pitts challenges US sugar policy

13-Oct-2010 - Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) has introduced legislation that challenges United States’ sugar policy, claiming that it is a waste of government money and costs jobs.

Anti-counterfeiting accord compromises on European food names

11-Oct-2010 - Delegates from 37 countries representing more than half the world’s trade have agreed an international anti-counterfeiting trade pact designed to protect against illegal copies of foods and other products.

News in brief

Japan calls for trans fat labeling

11-Oct-2010 - Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency has said it intends to ask food makers to voluntarily label the trans fat content of their products, according to Kyodo News International.

NYC proposes ban on buying sugary soft drinks with food stamps

08-Oct-2010 - Using food stamps to buy sugary soft drinks could be banned in New York City if a proposal submitted to the USDA by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson is accepted.

Increasing FDA attention to genetic testing may “stifle innovation”

08-Oct-2010 - As genetic testing advances, and commercial tests increase in number, FDA oversight of the tests will strengthen, but it will remain a challenge to not stifle future innovation, says an academic from Duke University.

FTC scrutinizes eco-friendly claims

08-Oct-2010 - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed changes to its guidelines for ‘green’ label claims to help marketers avoid making statements that could mislead consumers.

FDA issues draft guidance on acidified and fermented foods

05-Oct-2010 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance on acidified and fermented foods, such as pickles, relishes and olives, to provide recommendations on manufacturing and quality control.

Court overturns Ohio ban on rbST-free milk labeling

04-Oct-2010 - A district court has overturned an Ohio state ban on the labeling of milk as free from artificial hormones, saying that there is a compositional difference between milk from cows treated with growth hormone and untreated cows.