Policy
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Will Kerry's acrylamide-reducing yeast get widespread use in the US?
Acryleast is outperforming tests, but with no blanket federal government mandate to reduce the naturally occurring carcinogen, adoption will likely depend on price.
By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 05, 2019 -
OpinionAs consumer tastes evolve, so should FDA standards of identity
As the federal agency considers updating definitions of food items and ingredients, Janet E. Collins of Motif FoodWorks says it needs to consider new technology and changing mindsets about plant-based alternatives.
By Janet E. Collins • Dec. 02, 2019 -
Halo Top plans Chicago plant closure and layoffs starting next month
The ice cream maker will permanently close the production facility and cut 28 workers between Dec. 28 and March 13, according to an Illinois WARN notice.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 27, 2019 -
Walmart pork contained bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, report says
The executive director of World Animal Protection said the findings involving the retail giant were "particularly alarming and should raise concerns."
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 26, 2019 -
84% of food and beverage industry leaders expect sales growth in 2020
Mazars' annual survey of executives also found companies are looking to grow internally — through better-for-you products, cleaner labels and improved operations.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 25, 2019 -
Bumble Bee files for bankruptcy and agrees to sell for $925M
"It's been a challenging time for our company but today’s actions allow us to move forward with minimal disruption to our day-to-day operations," said CEO Jan Tharp.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 22, 2019 -
FDA: Stay away from romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, California
This is the fifth incident involving the pathogen in the popular green in the past two years. So far, 67 people in 19 states have been sickened and 39 were hospitalized.
By Cathy Siegner • UPDATED: Dec. 5, 2019 at 11 a.m. -
Pretty in pink: FDA allows ruby to carry coveted chocolate label
Barry Callebaut has been working with federal regulators for more than a year to market its distinctive pink confection this way. The temporary approval is effective for 15 months.
By Megan Poinski • UPDATED: Nov. 25, 2019 at 12:57 p.m. -
Sugar rush: As supply runs low, USDA will guarantee a backup
Adverse weather conditions mean there is less of the sweetener available to manufacturers this year, potentially setting the stage for experiments with alternatives.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 21, 2019 -
General Mills meets 20% sodium reduction goal across its portfolio
The CPG company achieved the target it set 10 years ago and boosted the nutrient density of its products by increasing whole grains, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 21, 2019 -
After salmonella outbreak, 2 members of Congress demand more food safety transparency from USDA
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Rosa DeLauro asked Secretary Sonny Perdue to reveal which beef processing plants could be linked to bacteria causing one death and eight hospitalizations.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 20, 2019 -
Ben & Jerry's sued again over 'happy cows' labeling claim
A Vermont man claims the Unilever-owned brand "breached consumer trust" by sourcing more than half its milk and cream from mass-production factory dairy farms.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 19, 2019 -
FDA will test romaine lettuce for pathogens during the next year
The agency said it will collect 270 raw post-harvest samples in the California and Arizona growing regions starting this month.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 18, 2019 -
Global CPG companies will miss 2020 zero net deforestation goals, study finds
The report from CDP said Danone, Nestlé and Unilever are doing the best in managing risks, while Tyson Foods, Kraft Heinz and Conagra are among the worst.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 18, 2019 -
China resumes US poultry imports after 4-year ban
The resumption of shipments to the communist country, which ended in 2015 following an avian flu outbreak in the U.S., could be worth more than $1 billion annually, according to the USTR.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Ocean Spray to settle 'no artificial flavors' lawsuit for $5.4M
If the agreement is approved, the company will stop using the claim on its CranApple and CranGrape products within a year.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Tyson: Current market makes accurate forecast impossible
A deadly disease affecting the global hog supply, unpredictable trade policy shifts and a fire in Kansas all made executives wary of predicting next year's earnings — but it's not all bad news.
By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Maple Leaf is the first major food company to go carbon neutral
The producer of meat and plant proteins said the move acknowledges the industry's impact on the environment and the need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to zero.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 08, 2019 -
Plant-based plaintiffs drop lawsuit challenging Mississippi's labeling law
The state's revised regulations allow packages to carry common meat-like terms as long as they also signify products do not contain meat.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 08, 2019 -
Olive oil producers petition FDA to adopt enforceable standards of identity
The American Olive Oil Producers Association and Deoleo, the product's largest global producer, said regulation would make sure consumers know the quality of what they're buying.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Palm oil makes headway as small independent producers surge 165%
A trade group said the figures were particularly encouraging because it has been trying to promote the inclusion of these members while also making sure core sustainability requirements are upheld.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 07, 2019 -
17% of kids with food allergies are also allergic to sesame
This study from National Institutes of Health researchers could have implications as to whether FDA makes it an ingredient that must be explicitly disclosed on labels.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 06, 2019 -
FDA criticized for waiting 6 weeks to announce latest romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak
While 23 people from 12 states got sick, the agency said it didn't inform the public until the outbreak appeared to be over because the implicated produce was past its shelf life and not available for sale.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 05, 2019 -
Lawmakers try to resurrect country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork
Congress repealed similar regulations in December 2015 after the WTO said they discriminated against livestock in Canada and Mexico, leaving the U.S. open to retaliatory tariffs.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 05, 2019 -
Tyson will assess its deforestation risks
Sustainability-focused nonprofit Proforest will help the company look at its sourcing for cattle, palm oil, soy, timber, pulp and paper to develop its upcoming forest protection policy.
By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 04, 2019
