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

News in brief

China lifts Canadian pork ban

02-Dec-2009 - China has reopened its borders to imports of Canadian pork, although its ban on live swine is still in place, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Tuesday.

Investment group seeks urgent FDA ruling on BPA

02-Dec-2009 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is failing in its job to protect consumers from exposure to chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) by missing the publication deadline on its re-evaluation of the safety of the packaging component, warns a ‘green’ investment fund.

Bioexx says canola protein has self-affirmed GRAS status

01-Dec-2009 - Canada’s Bioexx has announced it has that it has completed the self-affirmation process to qualify its specialty canola protein isolate Isolexx as self-affirmed GRAS (‘Generally Regarded as Safe’) for use in baked goods and other food products.

Industry is successfully self-regulating ads to kids, CFBAI

01-Dec-2009 - Self-regulation of food marketing to children does work, says the head of the food industry’s initiative, but change is incremental and should be measured with a broad view over the landscape.

FDA requests comments on Nutrition Facts research

30-Nov-2009 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested comments on a study examining consumer reaction to possible modification of Nutrition Facts labeling, it said in a Federal Register notice.

News in brief

FTC announces forum agenda on food marketing to kids

27-Nov-2009 - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced its agenda for a December 15 meeting to discuss food marketing to children.

Self-regulation not working for unhealthy ads, CSPI

24-Nov-2009 - A new survey of food ads on kids' TV network Nickelodeon has found that almost 80 percent are for unhealthy products, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which believes self-regulation is not working.

General Mills pushes case for Cheerios claim

23-Nov-2009 - General Mills has responded to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) letter asking for more evidence to support a revised health claim regarding the impact of Cheerios on cholesterol levels.

WTO to rule on origin labeling row

20-Nov-2009 - The World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed to rule on the ongoing dispute over whether US country of origin labeling (COOL) violates international trade agreements, as Canada and Mexico have alleged.

Senate panel approves food safety bill

19-Nov-2009 - The far-reaching food safety bill took another step towards becoming law yesterday after a US Senate committee unanimously approved the measure to overhaul the country’s regulatory system.

US dairy industry plea to boost raw milk regulation

18-Nov-2009 - Raw milk products pose a “significant food safety hazard” and facilities that make them should be covered by the new food safety bill, said the two largest US dairy trade bodies.

FDA examines caffeinated alcoholic drinks

16-Nov-2009 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked nearly 30 beverage manufacturers to provide information showing that their caffeinated alcoholic drinks are safe.

FDA examines caffeinated alcoholic drinks

16-Nov-2009 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked nearly 30 beverage manufacturers to provide information showing that their caffeinated alcoholic drinks are safe.

FDA postpones raw oyster ban

16-Nov-2009 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has back-tracked on its plans to ban the sale of raw oysters from the Gulf of Mexico during warm months amid mounting industry and political pressure.

GLG and Weider row over Sweet Naturals contract

12-Nov-2009 - Stevia supplier GLG Life Tech has filed a statement of defense against allegations from Weider Global Nutrition that it had breached conditions of their joint stevia business by setting up its own sales team.

LA legislators debate action on soda

06-Nov-2009 - Soda tax was on the agenda again yesterday as California legislators debated the possible link between obesity and sugary soft drinks.

FDA calls meeting to improve food traceability systems

06-Nov-2009 - Federal agencies in the United States need to increase the speed and accuracy of traceability systems to combat outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, said the FDA as it called a public meeting on the matter.

Health Canada completes allergen labeling review

30-Oct-2009 - Health Canada has completed a review of the country’s allergen labeling system and has said it will begin public consultations in November for mandatory labeling regulations.

News in brief

Coca-Cola omega-3 superjuice can nourish brain (but not memory), says NAD

28-Oct-2009 - Coca-Cola-owned Minute Maid has been told to discontinue TV advertising that suggested an omega-3 DHA-fortified pomegranate and blueberry superjuice could give an immediate memory boost.

Obesity Society urged to dismiss soda tax

28-Oct-2009 - The Center for Consumer Freedom has urged attendees of the Obesity Society’s annual meeting to consider obesity a matter of personal responsibility rather than an issue to be regulated by government.

Comment

Tackling E.coli – legislation or self-regulation?

26-Oct-2009 - Everybody wants food to be safe - but the recent slugging match over how best to protect US consumers from E.coli-tainted meat highlights whether legislation or self-regulation is the answer to mending the country's flawed safety system.

FDA chief calls for stronger food safety bill

23-Oct-2009 - A bill to overhaul the food safety system needs to be stronger and incorporate more funding, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg told a Senate committee hearing on Thursday.

Meat test rule change would prevent most E.coli, Listeria recalls

22-Oct-2009 - More than 80 per cent of this year’s meat recalls for E.coli and listeria could have been avoided if US authorities made companies keep hold of tested products until safety officials had given them the all clear.

FDA to examine front of pack labeling claims

21-Oct-2009 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will consider using its regulatory tools if front of pack nutrition labeling is not used in a common, credible way, it said in a letter to industry on Tuesday.