Weekly Newsletter | February 23, 2023
Food & Nutrition

USDA FNS Publishes WIC Online Ordering Proposed Rule 
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the proposed rule, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): WIC Online Ordering and Transactions and Food Delivery Revisions to Meet the Needs of a Modern, Data-Driven Program. This rule addresses key regulatory barriers to online ordering in the WIC Program by making changes to the provisions that prevent online transactions and types of online capable stores from participating in the program. This rule will also allow FNS to modernize WIC vendor regulations that do not reflect current technology and facilitate the program’s transition to electronic benefits. Comments on this proposed rule are due on May 24, 2023. 

FDA Publishes Draft Guidance for Plant-based Milk Alternative Labeling
The FDA published draft guidance on the Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements. This draft guidance provides recommendations on the naming of plant-based food products that are marketed and sold as plant-based milk alternatives and on the use of voluntary nutrient statements on products that are labeled with the term “milk” that have a nutrient composition that is different from milk. After reviewing comments from 2018, FDA determined that consumers understand that plant-based milk alternatives do not contain milk and choose these products because they are looking for a plant-based alternative to milk. However, FDA noted that many consumers may not be aware of the nutritional differences between milk and plant-based milk alternative products. Comments on this draft guidance are due April 24, 2023.

Food Safety Advocates Urge Stronger Reforms for FDA Human Foods Program
A coalition of food safety organizations, industry groups, and state and local regulators sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, expressing concern that FDA’s proposed redesign to update the Human Foods Program falls short of achieving its food safety mission. In the letter, the coalition suggests that the proposed redesign fails to reform the food program’s leadership structure as the Deputy Commissioner position does not have direct authority over FDA’s food-related field inspection force and FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Food Safety

USDA FSIS Highlights 2022 Key Achievements
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced its key achievements in 2022. Key achievements include the development of the proposed regulatory framework to reduce Salmonella in poultry products, support for small meat and poultry establishments, and the commissioning of a survey to analyze U.S. consumers’ understanding of the “Product of USA” voluntary labeling claim, among others. 
Agriculture

Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Farm Bill Hearing on Nutrition Programs 
Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee held its third 2023 Farm Bill hearing, Farm Bill 2023: Nutrition Programs, with Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Stacy Dean, and FNS Administrator Cindy Long serving as witnesses. During the hearing, Republican Senators particularly expressed concern over the estimated costs to fund nutrition programs in the Farm Bill such as the SNAP program. To support this point, Senators referenced the recently released Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that provides an outlook of costs associated with Farm Bill programs, including federal nutrition programs, that are expected to cost more than $1.2 trillion over the next ten years.  

USDA Invests to Strengthen ​​Meat and Poultry Food Supply Chain
The USDA announced an investment of $59 million to support processors under the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. These grants are intended to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers, and create jobs in rural areas across the U.S. This investment is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain.
Global

UK Advertising Standards Authority Updates Environmental Claim Guidance
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) published updates to their advertising guidance to include information on the use of carbon neutral and net zero claims in advertising. This update follows the findings in ASA's Climate Change and the Environment project that concluded that consumers lack an understanding and a general consensus of the meaning of "carbon neutral" and "net zero" claims in advertising. The ASA will monitor the use of carbon neutral and net zero claims in advertising and assess the guidance's impact for the next six months.

Coalition Sends Letter to Spanish Government for Sustainable Food Systems
A coalition of 20 Spanish health and environment organizations sent a letter urging the Spanish government to take action to combat the current food price crisis and ensure access to sustainable and affordable food for its citizens. In the letter, the organizations requested the government adopt ten policy measures to help ensure a ‘fair and sustainable’ agri-food system. Some of these policy measures included - guaranteeing the right to food for the entire population, supporting a food system that guarantees fair prices for producers, consumers, and workers, and ensuring a food production model that respects labor and social rights, among seven others.

Fun Fact: Tuna has the highest protein content of any other fish, with 30 grams of protein per 100 grams.