Regulation

01-Oct-2010 - A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that a US ban on Chinese poultry is illegal – the first such reprimand for legislation brought in under the Obama Administration.

Court finds USDA (again) acted illegally on GM sugar beet planting

01-Oct-2010 - A federal court has ruled that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has again acted illegally by allowing limited planting of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets despite a court-ordered ban.

GM salmon assessment ‘inappropriate’, say Senators

30-Sep-2010 - Eleven US Senators have signed a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg urging the agency to find another way to assess the safety of genetically engineered (GE) salmon.

FTC bombs POM (and researchers beware)

28-Sep-2010 - The Federal Trade Commission legal action alleging POM Wonderful made unsubstantiated claims for its pomegranate products, adds to a stream of claim actions the increasingly active agency has taken this year.

No recommendation on GM salmon after hearings

21-Sep-2010 - After two days of hearings, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has called for more research to decide whether genetically engineered salmon is safe for consumption.

Senator Coburn disputes ‘obstruction’ of food safety bill

21-Sep-2010 - Senator Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) has called for the Food Safety Modernization Act to be brought to the floor for “a full and open debate” after Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) accused him and other Republicans of obstructing the bill.

News in brief

Senate appoints Hagen to key USDA food safety role

20-Sep-2010 - The Senate has voted to appoint Dr. Elisabeth Hagen as Under Secretary for Food Safety at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the agency has said.

Senator says he will hold up food safety bill

16-Sep-2010 - Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has said he intends to hold up food safety legislation that has been stalled in the Senate since last November, as there is no indication of how it would be funded.

Comment

Time to embrace balanced kids’ marketing regulation

13-Sep-2010 - Kids are not going to stop liking chocolate, pizza, ice cream, or fries. Heck, neither am I. So why is industry so afraid of mandatory restrictions on marketing to children?

USDA sued over GM sugar

10-Sep-2010 - A coalition of environmental and farming groups has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) accusing it of sidestepping a ban on the planting of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets.

FDA should copy EFSA for health claims, says Scientific American

09-Sep-2010 - The FDA is too lenient regarding health claims and should follow EFSA’s lead and hold foods “to the same scientific standards as those for drugs”, according to the editors of Scientific American.

What is candy? Comments sought on definition

09-Sep-2010 - The Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board has requested comments on a proposed definition of candy for tax purposes, which excludes confectionery that requires refrigeration or contains flour.

Foodborne illness survivors urge immediate vote on food safety bill

09-Sep-2010 - Foodborne illness survivors and consumer organizations met in Washington on Wednesday to urge senators to vote on the food safety bill that has been awaiting consideration since November.

News in brief

Canadian Food Inspection Agency seeks input on import regulation

09-Sep-2010 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has said it is seeking comments from interested parties to help develop new regulation for food imports.

GE salmon ‘as safe to eat as other salmon’, says FDA

07-Sep-2010 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that genetically engineered (GE) salmon is safe for human consumption in documents released ahead of a public meeting on the issue due later this month.

New rules for biotech beets by the end of the year, says USDA

03-Sep-2010 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said that temporary rules will be worked out for the planting of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets by the end of the year after a federal judge blocked their planting last month.

CFIA finds many Canadian labels inaccurate: Report

03-Sep-2010 - In tests conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), most candies, snack foods and breads were found to fall short of composition claims such as ‘low in fat’, ‘sugar free’ or ‘100 percent whole wheat’, according to a Postmedia report.

US officials crack down on alleged international honey smuggling conspiracy

02-Sep-2010 - Six companies and eleven individuals have been arrested on charges of participating in an international honey smuggling operation, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on Wednesday.

Groups voice opposition to Canadian organic fish standard

01-Sep-2010 - Over 40 US and Canadian organizations have said that a Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) proposal to label farmed salmon as organic does not adhere to the principles of organic food.

Judge recommends $12m settlement in peanut salmonella case

27-Aug-2010 - A federal magistrate judge has recommended approval of a $12m settlement for those who became ill or died after eating salmonella-tainted peanut products from the Peanut Corporation of America last year.

FDA calls meeting to consider genetically engineered salmon

27-Aug-2010 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said its Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee will meet on September 19 and 20 to discuss the possible commercialization of genetically engineered salmon.

Canada to add bisphenol A to toxic register in face of industry protests

25-Aug-2010 - Canada has confirmed bisphenol A (BPA) is to be added to its national register of toxic substances after dismissing industry calls to review its stance on the chemical.

Industry (again) urges Senate to schedule vote on food safety bill

25-Aug-2010 - The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has urged the Senate to vote on the Food Safety Modernization Act that has been awaiting consideration since it passed through committee in November.

US confectioners urge Mexican border dispute resolution

24-Aug-2010 - A new 20 percent tariff on American chocolate and gum being shipped into Mexico has prompted an outcry from US confectioners, as the Mexican government has introduced a raft of new tariffs on American products.

Legislation fails to assess allergen risk-benefits in novel food

23-Aug-2010 - Novel hypoallergenic foods that could benefit consumers with serious allergies are being overlooked by current legislation warn researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Further risk-benefit studies are needed to remedy that problem, according to a study published in the journal Food Control.