FDA safety evaluation of Red Dye 3 ‘forthcoming,’ agency official tells Senate
Post-market assessment of chemicals in food is a ‘huge priority’ for FDA’s recently created Human Foods Program, top agency officials told skeptical senators this week.
Policy & legislation
FDA extends comment period for proposed post-market food chemical review
FDA is extending the comment period for its proposed systematic process for post-market assessment of chemicals in foods, which it laid out in late September to mixed reviews from industry stakeholders who lauded its science-based and data-driven...
FDA calls for input on PFAS levels in seafood
FDA’s request this week for information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seafood is part of the agency’s investigation into the potential health impact of PFAS exposures, which may be higher in seafood according to sample data.
F&B trade groups on Trump: Organizations share concerns, optimism for next four years
Donald Trump’s electoral win as the 47th US President is already being felt across the food and beverage industry, as various trade groups and non-profits share their hopes for a collaborative next four years while other raise concerns about what the new...
Mood food for mental wellbeing – How can industry capitalize?
Navigating regulatory claims for mood foods & functional ingredients
Brands marketing foods and ingredients for mood management must navigate a complex regulatory landscape by understanding functional claims, relying on strong scientific evidence and staying informed on emerging trends to market their products effectively...
USDA funds $6m to boost healthy food access in underserved communities
USDA, in partnership with the Reinvestment Fund, has allocated nearly $6 million to improve access to nutritious foods in underserved communities across the country, reinforcing the trend toward healthy diets and potentially reshaping how brands and...
What can the food industry expect between the election, inauguration?
The transition period between when voters select a presidential candidate and when that person takes office “is almost certain to be a difficult time” for FDA and other government agencies, predicts Steven Grossman, executive director of the Alliance for...
FDA’s Human Foods 2025 goals: Microbiological safety, food chemical safety & nutrition
FDA’s fiscal year 2025 priority deliverables for the Human Foods Program emphasize transparency and accountability amid state funding cuts and resource constraints.
FDA limits phthalate ban to nine compounds
The FDA’s recent decision to remove 23 phthalates from food-contact uses while conducting safety assessments on remaining compounds has sparked both industry support for targeted regulation and advocacy calls for a total ban.
USDA wants more organic dairy in US schools: what this means for producers
A new promotional initiative will create business opportunities for small and mid-sized organic dairies.
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
How would eliminating ultra-processed foods and products high in sugar, fat impact diet, health?
Diets that exclude foods high in added sugar and saturated fat, like sugary drinks, snacks and processed meat, still provide sufficient levels of essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and fiber, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
Dairy innovation and trends
Letter from the editor: Innovations, trends & startups reshaping the dairy category
The dairy case is no longer a limited selection of fat-free, low-fat or whole milk in generic white bottles or a bare-bones choice between just “orange” or “white” cheese – rather an explosion of innovation in recent years has dramatically multiplied...
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
DGAC recommends more repeated exposure to healthy foods for kids
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommended introducing a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains at appropriate ages does not adversely impact growth or increase obesity risk in young children.
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
Nutrition experts reveal Healthy US-style dietary pattern – but is it flexible enough?
The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommends consolidating various dietary patterns into a single, inclusive Healthy US-Style Dietary Pattern that includes nutrient-dense, plant-based foods and which is accessible for all Americans.
Food Traceability Rule compliance threatened by too much tech, over-eager retailers
Food industry players across the value chain are frustrated by lingering questions about how to implement sweeping food safety changes that go into effect in little over a year, including fears of some stakeholders “going berserk” with new technology or...
USDA, industry unite to deliver critical aid through emergency SNAP benefits for storm-hit communities
USDA’s emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits are available for eligible households impacted by Tropical Storm Helene in parts of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, with industry associations collaborating to ensure...
Kabrita USA's goat milk infant formula expands in retail, backed by its own supply chain
Kabrita USA's vertically-integrated supply chain, managed by its parent company Ausnutria, helped the brand secure US regulatory recognition and retail expansion, Jacqueline Lipiec, general manager, Kabrita North America, told FoodNavigator-USA.
2024 US presidential election
How Trump's trade, tax policies could impact food industry
Donald Trump's election as the 47th US president signals a sea change in economic and trade policies from the Biden Administration, as the president-elect is expected to raise tariffs, which can kick start inflation again and complicate stressed supply...
Will alternative meats thrive in frozen? Circana shows growth
Meat alternative sales dropped in the last four years, but all is not lost for the segment which has opportunity to thrive in the frozen department with a particular focus on convenience, value, ingredient quality, diverse formats and new flavors,...
FDA pushes for progress in sodium reduction target, aims to cut average intake to 2,750 mg/day
The FDA's phase two draft guidance on sodium reduction, released on August 15, sets new voluntary targets for food manufacturers to reduce average consumption to 2,750 milligrams per day by 2024, as nearly three-quarters of Americans' sodium intake...
DGAC: Diets high in plant-based foods are moderately linked towards reducing illness
Although the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) did not find strong evidence between dietary patterns and disease risk, some age-related cognitive health issues and breast cancer are moderately linked to diet.
UPSIDE Foods & Institute for Justice gain support from industry trade group on Florida lawsuit
The Association of Meat, Poultry & Seafood Innovation (AMPS), a non-profit organization representing the cell-cultured industry, expressed its support for cultivated meat producer UPSIDE Foods and non-profit Institute for Justice on the lawsuit filed...
FDA’s Human Foods Program in effect, emphasizing modernized food safety, nutrition and transparency
As the single largest reorganization in FDA’s history, the agency’s unified and modernized Human Foods Program is in effect and will “zero in” on science-based measures towards food safety and public health, according to the agency’s leadership.
Top need-to-knows about cocoa ahead of the new season
A round-up of the cocoa sector as we move into the 2024/2025 season.
USDA grants $11.04m for dairy producers, businesses to ‘spur innovation’ across the country
USDA funding allocated for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives is supporting small and mid-sized dairy businesses and providing a pathway for market expansion and diversification, as the industry adopts innovative technologies around milk production
Unsaturated vs saturated fats, Dietary Guidelines on dairy, meat & plant-based oils
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) determined the relationships between saturated fat and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the roles of dairy, red meat and plant-based oils with findings from last week’s meeting indicating benefits of...
California bans common food dyes in schools days after FDA, stakeholders discuss proposed systematic post-market review process for chemicals in foods
Manufacturers have just over three years to reformulate packaged snacks, confections and beverages with six common – and controversial – food dyes if they want to continue selling their products in California schools.
Texas district court greenlights plant-based labeling lawsuit
The United States District Court of the Western District of Texas will allow to proceed a lawsuit filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Good Food Institute on behalf of Tofurky that challenges a 2023 Texas law that imposes additional labeling...
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Does FDA’s proposed post-market assessment of chemicals in food fit the bill?
Food and beverage industry stakeholders and consumer advocates are lauding FDA’s commitment to enhance its post-market assessment of chemicals in food, but they worry the agency’s proposed process is “thin on details,” including lacking sufficient...
DGAC highlights nutritional disparities from latest dietary guidelines review
Removing animal-based and carbohydrate-containing products and other food groups can lead to significant nutrient deficiencies, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC).
USDA concludes final round of funding to boost farmer support, lower grocery prices
The final installment of funding from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) is expected to give independent US farmers and ranchers in rural communities a competitive advantage and lower grocery costs, according to USDA.
Building a net zero, water secure future in food & beverage
Water stewardship rises amid scarcity concerns, consumer interest in conservation
Increasing water scarcity is prompting stakeholders across the food industry to rethink and reup their stewardship practices, and in doing so they not only are reinforcing supply chains and the health of the planet, but market research suggest they could...
Crisis timeline: How the cost of olive oil went from affordable to astronomical
Olive oil prices are spiralling out of control, leaving manufactures and consumers wondering how much higher they can possibly go. But how did the crisis start, where is it headed, and what’s next?
How climate change is impacting food commodities
How is the food and beverage industry responding to the need to make its supply chains more sustainable? Find out at Climate Smart Food 2024.
ADM on the farm: Building regenerative agriculture builds business opportunities
Regenerative agriculture is emerging as a powerful marketing concept with recent research by ingredient supplier ADM revealing most consumers familiar with the tenets are more likely to trust and buy from brands that support the practice.
Letter from the editor: How is rising demand for global flavors influencing innovation & ingredient sourcing?
Long gone are the days when salt and pepper were sufficient seasonings for most Americans – now US consumers want bold flavors that will take their tastebuds on a global adventure, giving rise to a new class of frozen meals, sauces, spice blends and even...
USDA survey underscores critical role of federal program in reducing US food insecurity
Despite a majority (86.5%) of US households reporting they felt food secure for the entirety of 2023, government food assistance programs are critical to ensure the remaining 13.5% (18 million) households have access to healthy foods, according to a USDA...
AI helps companies navigate critical regulatory alerts, policy shifts ahead of 2024 election
Companies must navigate a more fragmented and complex regulatory environment, increasing the need for proactive compliance planning and advanced monitoring tools, like AI, according to Caroline Shleifer, CEO and founder of RegASK.
Instacart teams with Maryland County to alleviate food insecurity, support local grocers with ‘groundbreaking,' replicable MC Groceries program
A first-of-its-kind and replicable partnership between grocery delivery and pick-up provider Instacart and a Maryland county government will fight local food insecurity and support local grocers by giving a monthly grocery stipend to nearly 600 area...
Advancing the alternative protein sector requires significant public, private investment, GFI says
The US must significantly increase public and private investment in alternative proteins, including cultivated meat, to maintain global competitiveness, according to the Good Food Institute's (GFI) State of Policy report and GFI's Policy Specialist,...
Post-Chevron era will require industry, agency collaboration to navigate uncertainty
Experts warn that regulatory uncertainty due to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine could stifle business growth and innovation in the food industry, but they say collaboration between industry and regulators can pave the...
Food as medicine, waste reduction efforts could face headwinds following presidential election – prompting calls for fast action in coming months
Some legislators worry general political discord and uncertainty about the presidential election could aggravate food insecurity in the US and threaten investments in food as medicine as well as other initiatives and pledges made at the historic White...
IFT FIRST 2024
FDA reorganization ushers in era of transparency, safety and collaboration in Human Foods Program
FDA's major reorganization to house all human food oversight under one program will create a more transparent, safe and collaborative food system, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones said at the IFT FIRST conference in Chicago last week.
IFT FIRST 2024
Public funding for food research: A challenge and opportunity for the food industry
Despite the vital role research plays in tackling complex food system challenges like food security, healthy eating and environmental impact, securing funding for food science research remains a hurdle, experts explained over a fireside chat during IFT...
What is the role of circularity in a sustainable food system?
The protein transition is often viewed as the path to a sustainable food system. How can circularity complement it in reducing emissions and land use in food?
IFT First
FDA, industry leaders explore a streamlined path to market for cultivated protein
Regulatory approval for cultivated meat products is rigorous but possible – as seen with GOOD Meat and UPSIDE Foods – and FDA is streamlining the regulatory pathway for cultivated meat and encourages companies seeking approval to engage with it “early...
Future Food Tech
Future-proofing cultivated seafood: Addressing supply chain hurdles for the next decade
While cultivated seafood has made significant progress over the last six years, experts at the Future Food Tech conference last week emphasized the importance of mitigating supply chain barriers by identifying key markets for better nutritional access...
US beef market resilient ahead of July 4 holiday, as industry grapples with Scope 3 reporting
The US beef market remains resilient in Q2 with high prices and consumer demand, as global production is expected to decline in the coming quarters and the industry struggles to implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting changes,...
USDA: ‘We have got to make big bets’ on nutrition security, climate change & equity solutions
Through a global challenge offering up to $2 million in prize funding announced this week, the US Department of Agriculture and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) want to place “big bets” on high-risk, but high-reward innovations that...
USDA pushes forward label updates for cultured-meat, uncured claims, Nutrition Facts
USDA is working through a backlog of much-needed updates to labels for meat and poultry, and anticipates publishing this year or early next several proposed rules, including for uncured and cultivated products, according to an agency official.