Food safety and labeling

Limiting front-of-pack nutrition labeling to added sugar, saturated fat & sodium could skew potential health impact, stakeholders tell FDA

27-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Front of package nutrition labeling intended to help consumers select healthier foods and beverages by potentially calling out the amount of added sugar and other nutrients of interest could unintentionally expose children to higher levels of non-nutritive...

Futureproofing the Food System

Watch this week: FoodNavigator-USA’s digital summit explores trends in food-tech, food as medicine and the circular economy

13-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

This week, join FoodNavigator-USA and stakeholders across the supply chain, including Eat Just, The Hartman Group, Oishii, NotCo, Instacart, NIQ, Consumer Brands Association, FMI – The Food Industry Association, Cargill and more for our three-day Futureproofing...

Insite AI harmonizes retail data into actionable solutions for brands

08-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Insite AI leverages artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to identify actionable recommendations for brands from data insights, like those provided by Walmart's recently upgraded Luminate data platform, which tracks the behaviors of its...

Unilever unearths regen ag findings for Knorr and Hellmann’s: ‘The time for pilots is over. It’s time to go big’

02-Nov-2023 By Flora Southey

The environmental impact results from Unilever’s first set of regenerative agriculture projects in Spain, Italy, and the US have been dug up, with findings suggesting boons for food resilience and environmental sustainability.

How private-label brands are tapping into TikTok trends to win over Gen Z consumers

02-Nov-2023 By Ryan Daily

Private-label brands are tapping into viral TikTok moments to resonate with Gen Z consumers, as many of these shoppers are willing to switch brands, Ansie Collier, global director of innovation at MMR Research, shared during a recent webinar.

How cultivated meat could be the key to avoiding the development of antimicrobial resistance

30-Oct-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

While the ‘routine use’ of antibiotics in animal agriculture is banned in the EU, increasing globalisation can make it difficult to avoid imported meat reared in this way. While the routine use of antibiotics can increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance,...

California Food Safety Act “sets a dangerous precedent,” food policy experts say

24-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

California’s Food Safety Act (AB 418) bans the inclusion of four food additives—propyl paraben, brominated vegetable oil, Red Dye No. 3 and potassium bromate—in food and beverages, a landmark state-wide law highlighting the potentially widening gap between...

Eight crops endangered by climate change

19-Oct-2023 By Oliver Morrison

From staple crops like potatoes and maize, to cash crops for wealthier customers like cocoa and coffee, climate change is having a widespread impact on global agricultural production.

National Association for Convenience Stores

How visual AI can improve operations in retail convenience

17-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Visual artificial intelligence's role in retail offers a potential solution to streamlining operations in real time, according to Doug New, chief information officer, Nouria Energy and Dr. Bruce Porter, chief science officer, Spark Cognition, who...

Retail Insight tackles food waste for retailers using cognitive technology

12-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

A recent survey by Retail Insight found that 79% of shoppers tried to be more sustainable in their buying habits in the last 12 months, creating an opportunity for retailers to automate their price mark down strategies with the WasteInsight solution,...

California Food Safety Act signed into law, bans four food additives by Jan. 2027

10-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Food Safety Act on Oct. 7, 2023. The statewide legislation, the first of its kind in the US, “will prohibit any food product manufactured, sold, delivered, distributed, held or offered for sale in...

‘Countries are experiencing cascading crises’: FAO climate change chief on food systems transformation in challenging times

25-Sep-2023 By Flora Southey

From the COVID-19 pandemic to extreme weather events and war in Ukraine, ‘cascading crises’ are impacting countries across the world. Responsible agri-food practices can help mitigate the impact of these disruptions, suggests Kaveh Zahedi, director of...

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Health Equity Working Group provides framework for Dietary Guidelines for Americans protocols

14-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

A Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) working group shared this week refined protocols for systematic reviews, food pattern modeling and committee evidence review which will shape the committee’s recommendations for the Dietary Guidelines for...

Stakeholders go to bat over controversial ingredient titanium dioxide

13-Sep-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Less than a year ago, FDA told FoodNavigator-USA that it considers TiO2 to be safe, citing available studies that do not demonstrate safety concerns connected to the use of TiO2 as a color additive.

Sojo Industries rethinks variety pack production via mobile, automated and climate-friendly processes

16-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Sojo Flight brings the production to brands, contract manufacturers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) by providing a mobile, robotic and climate-responsible solution to the variety pack production space.

Khrone’s Optiswitch 6500 offers manufacturers precise and hygienic solution for filling containers

16-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Khrone’s capacitance level switch provides food and beverage manufacturers a “minimally invasive solution” where cleanliness, precision and accuracy are essential when filling containers, according to the company’s press release.

IFT First

IFT First: How can nutrition and food science inform each other? Big data may help

09-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Food science’s role in public health will play a more critical role in addressing increasingly nuanced dietary and nutrition preferences within a diverse and growing population. Big data and personalized nutrition offer solutions to fine tune these preferences...

Kraft Heinz to cut 20% of virgin plastic by 2030 with three-pronged approach to sustainable packaging

02-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Kraft Heinz is doubling down on its ESG-related packaging goals by aiming to reduce its virgin plastic use by 20% by 2030, which is estimated to be more than 100m pounds of plastic, Linda Roman, the company’s head of packaging growth and technology, told...

FDA food traceability measures need specific data standards - FMI

25-Jul-2023 By Lauren Nardella

The Food and Drug Administration offers more information to help the food and beverage industry implement its Food Traceability Rule through the recent release of FAQs, while industry suggests certain data standards could help it meet challenges in compliance.

Opinion

Handling and storage challenges in the food supply chain

20-Jul-2023 By Theo Mizzi

Theo Mizzi, project manager at Inverto UK, discusses handling and storage challenges in the food and drink supply chain and how artificial intelligence can play a role in maintaining integrity during transit.

From shelf to screen: Maximizing retailers' private label potential with digital and physical labels

13-Jul-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Private label is expected to expand its presence in retailers as 80% of industry executives reported increasing investment for the next two years with a focus on label transparency through digital touchpoints both in-store and digitally, according to...

FTC seeks to crack down on fake reviews in the digital age

10-Jul-2023 By Danielle Masterson

The Commission noted the proliferation of generative AI will likely make it easier for bad actors to write fake reviews. However, the FTC's plan to impose hefty fines may be enough to deter deceptive practices.

Will AI make human roles obsolete? Three major concerns about the use of AI in food production

10-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

There are three major concerns about the use of AI in the food industry, with the majority of benefits at present related to market research and advertising strategies – as evidenced by Coca-Cola – according to an industry expert.

Sustainability

‘The hard truth is that the old sustainability models are good but not good enough’ – Rainforest Alliance calls for a new vision to address global crises

06-Jul-2023 By Anthony Myers

The Rainforest Alliance Annual Report has called for a new strategic direction to address interconnected global crises as the organisation sets out its new vision for accelerating action to address the climate emergency, biodiversity loss, systemic poverty,...

Food waste: Should brands focus on label dates or ‘use by’ phrases?

04-Jul-2023 By Flora Southey

Food makers and retailers have been reworking label phrases to discourage unnecessary food waste. But fresh research suggests their focus may be misplaced.

'We need to have the right products, because the consumers are demanding it': How politics can drive recycling in plastic packaging

26-Jun-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

The UK throws away around 100 billion pieces of plastic each year, much of which goes into landfill. Tetra Pak North Europe managing director Alex Henriksen told FoodNavigator about how inexorably politics and food packaging are tied together.

Carbon tracking app aims to empower UK consumers to discover the climate impact of millions of food and beverage products

16-Jun-2023 By Oliver Morrison

The Reewild app says it will help users to track their dietary carbon footprint, while offering brands a business incentive to make greener products.

PartnerSlate connects food brands with co-manufacturers, raises $4 million in funding

12-Jun-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The online marketplace PartnerSlate will “accelerate the growth of its online marketplace digitizing the $200-billion food and beverage contract manufacturing industry" with a $4m fundraise led by Supply Change Capital, according to its recent press...

Snack industry leaders to meet with US lawmakers to discuss SNAP nutrition

05-Jun-2023 By Gill Hyslop

Snac International’s annual Legislative Summit - taking place on 6-7 June in Washington, DC - will address pressing key policy issues that are shaping the snack food industry.

Watch on demand: FNU’s one-hour webinar Plant-Based Dairy – From Oatmilk to Chickpea Ice Cream

17-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Unit sales of plant-based dairy products are sliding even as dollar sales are up in most categories as inflation-related price hikes simultaneously cushion companies’ margins and discourage some consumers from trying new products and paying premium products....

‘Allergen advisory statements are not a substitute for … good manufacturing practices’

FDA partially addresses unintended outcome of adding sesame to major allergen list

17-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

A draft compliance policy guide published in today’s Federal Register outlines how FDA plans to enforce major food allergen labeling and the risk of cross-contact, but does not directly address the unintended consequences of the recent addition of sesame...

Community engagement is key for successful food reform, sugar reduction policies

02-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Sugar reduction policies and programs in New York City and Berkeley, Calif., could serve as public health templates for cities across the country, according to experts gathered at the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s (CSPI) Sugar Reduction...

FMI members to address food industry policies with lawmakers on Capitol Hill

19-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Discussions between FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Government Relations Committee and lawmakers will surround Farm Bill reauthorization, food safety regulations and credit card competition, among others on April 19, 2023.

KIND Snacks uses digital activations to boost consumer loyalty as it ramps up sustainability

19-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Through a suite of virtual and augmented reality activations launched this week, KIND Snacks is breaking down for mainstream Americans the complicated concept of regenerative agriculture and the real-world environmental impact of its latest sustainability...

California Health Committee approves ban on five food additives in landmark bill co-sponsored by EWG and Consumer Reports

18-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

In a controversial move that could have a ripple effect for food and beverage manufacturers nationwide, California Assembly’s Committee on Health approved AB 418 -- bringing the state one step closer to potentially banning brominated vegetable oil, potassium...

CSPI et al’s letter to the FDA urges the immediate and formal removal of Red Dye No. 3, industry trade groups representing color additives request comment deadline extension

11-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Citing numerous studies that suggest Red Dye No. 3 could be carcinogenic, The Center for Science in the Public Interest and a coalition of 23 other associations want FDA to remove the color from its list of approved additives in foods, dietary supplements...

FDA could permit salt substitutes for standardized foods as part of sodium reduction effort

07-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The proposal is intended to provide more flexibility for foods with standards of identity where salt is a required or optional ingredient, and “facilitate industry innovation to reduce sodium in standardized foods,” the agency stated.

Industry questions basis of FDA’s proposed caps for lead in baby food, seeks compliance guidance

03-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

While many industry stakeholders laud FDA’s efforts to reduce lead in baby food and products for children under 2 years old, they question the logic behind the tolerable levels proposed by the agency in draft regulation and want additional guidance on...

FDA draft guidance for “healthy” ingredients on food labels triggers concerns over limitations on innovation, consumer autonomy

30-Mar-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Products making dietary guidance statements should contain a meaningful amount of the featured ingredient or food category and not exceed certain amounts of saturated fat, sodium and added sugar, according to FDA’s draft guidance for industry on questions...

Tractor Beverage Co. gets granular on organic farming metrics with sustainability tracker

29-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Tractor Beverage Co. is showing the benefits of organic farming with a customer-facing tracker that details the amount of synthetic pesticides avoided in the creation of its beverages, the brand CMO Justin Herber told FoodNavigator-USA at the Natural...

FDA’s update for new Human Foods Program falls short of industry expectations

01-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even as FDA kicks off a search for a deputy commissioner for its proposed Human Foods Program who it says will have a “clear line of authority over” all human food safety and nutrition programs, industry stakeholders worry agency is choosing a “business...

ByHeart to triple its production of infant formula, reinforce supply chain with facility acquisitions

30-Jan-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

With this month’s acquisitions of an additional domestic manufacturing facility and an FDA-registered packaging and blending facility, infant formula company ByHeart successfully consolidated its supply chain and significantly boosted its production capacity...

Drumroll, please… waiting game continues to plague CBD industry

26-Jan-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Rumors about a big FDA announcement began swirling earlier this week, with the industry bracing for a potential end to a five-year wait on the regulatory future of CBD. But, much like the last few years, CBD professionals were left waiting without answers,...

FDA proposes lead limits in baby food – but do they go far enough and are they achievable?

25-Jan-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

FDA’s long-awaited guidance for limiting lead concentrations in packaged food for babies and toddlers published yesterday estimates a reduced exposure risk upwards of 27%, but according to some stakeholders this isn’t high enough.

Cultivated meat in focus at Tufts cellular ag innovation day: From bioreactor bottlenecks to a ‘global battle cry’ for government funding

20-Jan-2023 By Elaine Watson

It’s becoming increasingly clear that early projections about the speed with which cultivated meat might gain market share now seem pretty optimistic. But Rome wasn’t built in a day, and significant progress is being made to build the ecosystem needed...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Investing in food as medicine opens business opportunities

16-Jan-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The idea of food as medicine is as old as food itself, but only recently has the mainstream US health care system begun to take notice, and action, as community-directed efforts to prevent, manage and treat diet-related illnesses through nutrition education...

Bacterial cultures combat antibiotic resistant Salmonella: ‘One of the biggest challenges in food safety is the emergence of superbugs’

13-Jan-2023 By Katy Askew

New research out of the US suggests protective bacterial cultures could be used to tackle food-borne pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: What does FDA’s commitment to ‘building a world-class human foods program’ mean for industry?

19-Dec-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

After a scathing review published earlier this month by the Reagan-Udall Foundation criticized FDA for its scattered and inefficient approach to food safety and applied nutrition, the agency says it is committed to “building a world-class human foods...

Kroger-Albertsons merger hits roadblock in Washington state, Albertsons challenges 'meritless' anti-competitive claims

04-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

A Washington state court has granted a temporary restraining order to block dividend payments to Albertsons investors related to the $24.6bn merger with Kroger announced in October 2022.

Futureproofing the food system: How are food insecurity and health outcomes connected and what benefits do produce prescriptions, medically tailored meals and personalized nutrition offer?

21-Oct-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Researchers are calling on clinicians and the healthcare system to screen for food insecurity and better promote food access programs after discovering that Americans with limited or uncertain access to adequate food is on the rise and they are more likely...