Regulation

05-Dec-2011 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to Alexia Foods for labeling a product ‘all-natural’, although it contains disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate, which the agency says is a synthetic preservative.

Food safety law gets $39m funding for 2012

02-Dec-2011 - The majority of a $50m increase in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) funding for fiscal 2012 will go toward implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act, after a lobbying group backed by several food industry trade associations played a key role in influencing negotiations.

Chavez ramps-up rhetoric as Parmalat apologises for 'milk hoarding' response

02-Dec-2011 - Parmalat has issued a public apology to Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in the wake of a row over the company’s initial response to accusations of dairy product hoarding in the country.

FDA apple juice arsenic guidelines expected

29-Nov-2011 - The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) could be poised to perform a U-turn on levels of arsenic in apple juice through the development of new guidelines - a letter sent to consumer groups has revealed.

Kraft counts cost of fighting controversial Canadian cheese regulations

29-Nov-2011 - Kraft Canada says it is 'disappointed' that the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has rejected its appeal calling for judicial review (JR) of controversial federal rules on cheese composition.

Industry reluctant to share information on adulterated ingredients with FDA, GAO finds

28-Nov-2011 - Industry is often reluctant to share information with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address economically motivated adulteration of food, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Canadian listeria precautions exceed regulations - company

24-Nov-2011 - A potential case of listeria contamination in Canada has led to the shutdown of an entire food production line, as the company involved attempt to address any possible infection.

Super committee failure puts food safety and Farm Bill funding at risk

23-Nov-2011 - The congressional super committee charged with developing a strategy for deficit reduction has failed to reach an agreement, threatening FDA funding to implement food safety laws, and funding for the 2012 Farm Bill after next year.

News in brief

Middle Eastern food safety cooperation needed - FAO

23-Nov-2011 - A Middle Eastern food science and technology network is essential for the improvement of food safety and quality in the region, says the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Sugar industry amends complaint against HFCS industry

22-Nov-2011 - Sugar growers have amended a lawsuit against the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), claiming that some members of the association have conspired to engage in false advertising – an accusation the CRA denies.

US authorities quiet over potential Jensen Farm prosecution

22-Nov-2011 - Authorities in the US have remained tight-lipped over the potential prosecution of Jensen Farms – the company responsible for listeria-infected cantaloupes that have killed dozens.

Californian resident files complaint over King Arthur ‘all-natural’ labels

21-Nov-2011 - King Arthur Flour is the latest company to become the focus of a class action lawsuit for using ‘all-natural’ labeling on products that allegedly contain synthetic ingredients.

WTO sides with Canada on US meat country of origin labeling

21-Nov-2011 - The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that US policy on country of origin labeling violates international trade rules by creating barriers to free trade, including with Canada and Mexico.

Global scientists serve up food security policy recommendations

18-Nov-2011 - Global food systems need an immediate transformation to meet current and future threats to food security and environmental sustainability, according to a new report.

Compromise bill grants FDA $50m boost to implement FSMA

17-Nov-2011 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be granted an extra $50m of funding for 2012 according to the provisions of a bipartisan compromise bill, some of which would help implement the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Food Stamp program participation slows - but continues to grow

15-Nov-2011 - Last year, 44 million Americans took part in the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly the Food Stamp program – according to a new report from the Carsey Institute.

News in brief

'Whisky' war breaks out as SWA accuses Arkay of illegal promotional claim

15-Nov-2011 - The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has warned consumers "not to be taken in" by a new product claiming to be the world's first alcohol-free whisky and has signalled its intent to fight against the introduction of an illegal product.

Global food safety training fund established at APEC

14-Nov-2011 - A new global food safety fund was announced at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday, to support global food safety improvements and understanding of best practices.

You say stanol, I say sterol… Raisio clashes with Unilever over cholesterol-lowering terminology

10-Nov-2011 - Heart healthy food giants Raisio and Unilever have clashed over proposed changes to the wording of health claims about phytosterols and the risk of coronary heart disease.

POLL results: We need a clearer definition of natural... and the FDA should come up with it

07-Nov-2011 - We need a formal definition of ‘natural’ to ensure it is used more consistently in food labeling and marketing– and the FDA should provide it - according to the results of the latest FoodNavigator-USA/NutraIngredients-USA poll.