International retailing giant Ahold today announced that a US
federal court has granted approval for its $1.1 billion legal pay
out to shareholders, compensating them for an overstating of
profits two years ago.
Cognis has been denied permission to make a qualified health claim
for the consumption of its Xangold brand lutein esters and reduced
risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Snack firm Frito Lay is to face a law suit for deceptively
marketing its 'Light' potato chip range in order to trick consumers
into believing the products do not contain the controversial fat
substitute olestra, said the...
US Manufacturers of products containing barley are allowed to claim
that they may help reduce the risk of heart disease, according to
the Food and Drug Administration, which has approved the health
claim for immediate use.
Food manufacturers in the US may well be set to benefit from the
new trans fat labeling law, in effect as of yesterday, despite the
panic this has caused over the past two years.
Consumers who suffer from food allergies are set to benefit from
new "plain English" allergen labeling rules, which also
provide food and beverage manufacturers with the opportunity to tap
into the growing "free-from"...
Tuna processors are back in the ring again over mercury, fighting
back against more claims that canned products contain dangerously
high levels of the contaminant.
In the absence of definitive action from the FDA, food
manufacturers should take the initiative to promote whole grains to
the American public, clearly indicating if products are an
excellent source or a good source of whole grains,...
A new law allowing American schools to sell milk anywhere at any
time will force changes to exclusivity contracts between schools
and soft drink firms.
The EU and US have signed off the first stage of their wine
agreement as France's agriculture minister tells annoyed winemakers
the deal is not as strong as it could be.
A petition from a food and spice company could end up with the US
food regulator rescinding its decision last year allowing
processors to use carbon monoxide to keep packaged meat red and
fresh-looking.
Salt should be treated as a food additive for the purposes of
regulation, with strict limits placed on the salt content of
processed foods, according to a petition sent by the Center for
Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to the...
Better training procedures, new requirements on allergen and
pathogen controls, and tougher record keeping rules to ensure food
safety in processing plants, are among the legislative changes
proposed by the industry's regulator.
The FDA has issued a letter of guidance to the California lettuce
industry in an attempt to stem the continuing human disease
outbreaks linked to the consumption of fresh produce.
Regulations concerning the jurisdiction over certain food products
that contain meat and poultry are to be re-examined next month to
avoid inconsistencies, said the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and the Food and Drug Administration...
New legislation may be passed to create a uniform system for all
food safety standards and warning labels on food products regulated
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Now that the US authorities have issued final guidance under the
Bioterrorism Act, companies can now have assurance about the food
safety systems they have implemented or are about to put in place,
and the costs involved in complying...
The FDA is unconvinced that cherries pack as much of a health punch
as some marketers of cherry-based products are claiming. It has
issued warning letters to 29 companies, telling them to stop making
disease prevention or treatment...
A successful lawsuit against the tuna industry would lower the
threshold for mercury so low that every US seafood product would
require a warning, claim canners.
This week's passage of the so-called Cheeseburger Bill looks like a
straightforward victory for food makers, but the industry should
still be wary over the possibility of future litigation.
The Californian attorney who sued both Kraft and McDonald's over
trans-fats tells FoodNavigator-USA.com how he forced the
issue onto the front pages, and what his next plan of action is.
A firm commitment from the US to cut domestic farm subsidies by 60
percent within a five-year timeframe could revitalize WTO
negotiations and benefit US food makers, according to the
International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).
The food industry has been hammered for making children overweight,
but one Californian parent believes that banning junk food in
schools is redundant unless another legal loophole is dealt with.
A final ruling that requires all manufacturers to register with the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is designed to ensure that the
country's food supply remains safe from possible attack.
The decision to adjust the maximum sodium levels permitted for
foods that bear the implied nutrient content claim 'healthy'
underlines continued consumer reticence towards low-salt products.
Senator Tom Harkin has called for a radical overhaul of USDA food
standards in order to drag them into line with current thinking on
obesity and nutrition.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has called for
substantial reductions in 'trade distorting tariffs and subsidies'
and a rejection of the EU's proposals regarding geographical
indications.
New recommendations designed to strengthen self-regulation in
children's advertising and tackle obesity have been welcomed by
Grocery Manufacturers Association.
The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) has attacked
California Attorney-General Bill Lockyer's lawsuit against a number
of high-profile food firms as "unfortunate and contrary to the
interest of public health."
The state of California is suing nine top food manufacturers over
their reluctance to issue warnings that some popular snacks could
contain a potential cancer-causing chemical.
Untreated juices are still causing serious outbreaks of foodborne
illness across America, according to the US Food and Drug
Administration, warning consumers to be extra careful.
The FDA's imminent amendment of its color additive regulations to
provide for the safe use of LycoMato tomato lycopene extract is
good news for the company behind the product.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has hailed the House of
Representatives' passing of the Central American - Dominican
Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) as victory for US food
makers.
The FDA has urged the soft drink industry to review the ingredient
statements on their soft drink labels following the withdrawal of a
proposed "and/or" ruling on sweeteners.
There are worries that a district court ruling in Maine banning all
synthetic ingredients in products labeled organic could
significantly slow the sector's growth, writes Anthony
Fletcher.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has welcomed the
introduction of legislation that would establish a voluntary
country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program in place of a mandated
program.
While some food companies remain petrified that they will not be
ready for new trans fat and food allergen labeling requirements,
others have recognised the January 1 deadline as an opportunity,
writes Anthony Fletcher.
A recent proposal to broaden the definition of Class 1 fluid milk
has divided industry opinion between those who see potential in
improved prices and those who see a loss of consumer trust,
writes Anthony Fletcher.
The WTO's ruling on the illegality of Japan's import barriers on US
apples brings closer the possibility of both internationally
recognised standards and American trade sanctions.
Critics claim that the Connecticut governor's veto of the nutrition
bill will keep the state's school-aged children at increased risk
of tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes, writes Anthony
Fletcher.
