Food & Nutrition

FDA Publishes Proposed Rule to Revoke Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food

FDA published the long-awaited proposed rule, Revocation of Authorization of Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food. The proposed rule would amend FDA regulations to remove the authorization of the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) as a food ingredient. FDA concluded that recent data from agency-conducted studies demonstrated adverse health effects in animals at levels more closely approximating real-world human exposure, resulting in bioaccumulation of bromine and toxic effects on the thyroid. BVO is currently authorized for use as a stabilizer in flavoring oils in fruit-flavored beverages. Comments on this proposed rule are due January 17, 2024.

On a related note, FDA released a statement from Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, acknowledging the recent enactment of California bill AB 418 that bans the use of four food ingredients, including BVO, in the state. Jones reiterated that FDA is continuously reviewing and reassessing the safety of a variety of chemicals in food, and the agency is currently reviewing the color additive regulations authorizing the use of red dye 3 in ingested drugs and foods.

Senate Introduces Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act

Senate Agriculture Committee members Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act. The bill would establish a voluntary “Food Loss and Waste Reduction Certification,” directing USDA to create the certification’s criteria, verification process, and a label, as well as promote the certification to ensure that consumers are informed about which businesses and organizations have received the certification. This legislation supports the efforts of USDA’s 2020 formal agreement with EPA and FDA to leverage the private and the non-governmental sector to reduce food loss and waste.

Publication Suggests Use of LNC Sweeteners Reduce Added Sugar Intake  

The Georgetown University Business for Impact Center published a paper that examined the use, benefits, safety, and consumer perception of low- or no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS). The report’s findings suggest that LNCS can play a critical role in helping limit added sugar in the diet and serve as an important tool to reduce increasing rates of overweight and obesity in the U.S. The report concluded that 1) three-quarters of consumers stated that they want to limit their sugar intake or avoid sugar, 2) sugar content is the item searched most frequently on food nutrition labels, with consumers not regularly searching for LNCS, and 3) the number of food products containing LNCS is currently low. Researchers suggest that food manufacturers align with government and public health officials to increase the acceptance of LNCS to reduce consumer’s intake of added sugar.

USDA Appoints New Members to Food Safety National Advisory Committee

USDA announced the appointment of 21 new members and nine returning members to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The committee members have expertise in microbiology, risk assessment, epidemiology, public health, food science and other relevant disciplines and will serve a two-year term. NACMCF provides current information and scientific advice to federal food safety agencies and serves as a foundation for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health. NACMCF is hosting a public meeting to formally appoint the new members on November 14-16, 2023. 

House Introduces No Toxics in Food Packaging Act of 2023

Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act. The bill would ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA), per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), ortho-phthalates, styrene, and antimony trioxide in food packaging and processing materials. Some of these food contact substances are also included within FDA’s lists of select chemicals that are currently under agency review as of July 2023. The list of select food ingredients and food contact substances currently under FDA review include PFAS, bisphenol A (BPA), BVO, partially hydrogenated oil (PHO), red dye 3, and titanium dioxide, among others.

Agriculture

USDA Invests to Strengthen Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced an investment of $32 million for 98 grant projects to expand and strengthen local and regional food systems and increase the availability of locally grown agricultural products. The funding will be distributed through the Local Agriculture Market Program’s (LAMP) Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs (FMLFPP) and the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) grant program.

USDA to Host 100th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum

Registration is now open to attend USDA’s 100th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum on February 15-16, 2024. The 2024 Forum, titled, “Cultivating the Future,” will feature a keynote address by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, a presentation on the outlook for agricultural markets and trade by USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer, a plenary panel of speakers, and 30 breakout sessions covering a range of agricultural, food market, and environmental issues. These speakers, comprised of government, industry, and academia, will share insights on topics such as commodity and food price outlooks, U.S. and global agricultural trade developments, agricultural innovations, climate change, and the bioeconomy.

Global

South Korea Announces National Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods

South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs announced the country’s forthcoming national action plan to foster the development of a plant-based food industry. This announcement follows the recently published Danish government’s National Action Plan for Plant-based Foods, making South Korea the second country with plans to develop a similar initiative. The plan is scheduled to launch in December 2023, and is expected to establish a research center for alternative proteins, outline measures to promote the use of domestic agricultural products in plant-based foods, and support the export of alternative and related food products.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation Publishes Global Commitment 2023 Progress Report

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, published its Global Commitment 2023 Progress Report. This Global Commitment, launched in 2018, establishes key targets with goals to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging, make all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable, and decrease virgin plastic use in packaging. Five years after the Commitment was first launched, the report found that out of over 1,000 organizations supporting the Global Commitment, 160 food and beverage companies have yet to take action. The report also found that while certain food and beverage companies have taken positive action to tackle plastic waste, they remain likely to miss key plastic reduction targets by 2025.

Fun Fact: A single pomegranate can contain more than 600 seeds.