Food & Nutrition

USDA AMS Requests Information to Update List of Bioengineered Foods

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that the agency is soliciting comments and seeking data, recommendations, and other information about potential additions or subtractions from the agency’s List of Bioengineered Foods regarding the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. AMS is also requesting information on any additional crops or foods that may meet the criteria to be added to the List, any crops or foods that no longer meet the criteria and should be subtracted from the List, and any trade names, varieties, or modifiers that should be considered for addition to or subtraction from the items currently appearing on the List. AMS developed this List to identify the crops and food that are available in a bioengineered form and to aid regulated entities in considering whether they may need to make a bioengineered disclosure. The deadline to submit public comments is April 29, 2024.

Study Examines Consumer Perception of UPF Disclosures on Food Packaging 

A study published in the Journal of Business Research examined the use of ultra-processing package disclosures in conjunction with favorable food processing claims, such as "natural" and "organic" and nutrient content warnings on perceived food processing level, disease risk evaluations, and consumer purchase intentions. The study results emphasized the usefulness of ultra-processed food (UPF) stop-sign disclosures in counterbalancing the positive inferences created from "natural" and "organic" package claims on perceived food processing levels. Researchers also suggested that food marketers' front-of-pack (FOP) processing-related claims and any potential 'healthy' icon for UPFs may be misleading for various food processing categories. The study found that the use of package disclosures in the form of a single stop sign significantly affects perceptions of food processing level and perceived healthfulness.

Study Examines Nutritional Composition of Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Burgers 

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition examined ultra-processed plant-based burgers' nutrient content sold in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lisbon, and London. Researchers found that while plant-based burgers were found to be a source of 'low quality' protein, dietary fiber, and essential minerals, the products also contained high levels of energy, sodium, total fat, and saturated fatty acids, associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. However, the study suggested that the inclusion of ultra-processed plant-based burgers in the diet may contribute to meeting daily nutrient intake requirements and have lower environmental impacts than meat-based burgers. Researchers recommend that food manufacturers implement improvements to better support healthy dietary habits and the nutritional profile of plant-based burgers. This study was funded by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Food Safety

FDA to Host New Era of Smarter Food Safety Meeting on Data and Technology

FDA is hosting a public meeting on Data and Technology in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety on April 24, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST. The public meeting will consist of presentations from the agency to explain FDA’s current thinking on the potential for new, innovative or different data and technology activities that may be leveraged by both government and industry to advance food safety under the New Era of Smarter Food Safety. The meeting will also feature an opportunity for stakeholders to share feedback on how and where advances in data and technology can be leveraged to accelerate the agency’s ability to improve public health outcomes. The agency will open a public docket to receive additional comments about topics discussed during the public meeting beginning April 24, 2024.

Agriculture

Senate Introduces EMIT LESS Act to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions

Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the Enteric Methane Innovation Tools for Lower Emissions and Sustainable Stock (EMIT LESS) Act. The legislation aims to expand enteric methane research at USDA and reduce on-farm enteric methane emissions produced by livestock. The bill would establish an enteric methane product and practice testing capacity through USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), expand training programs that familiarize farmers with practices that reduce enteric methane emissions, add practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions under USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grant’s On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials, and direct USDA to review conservation practice standards to assist in reducing enteric methane. The legislation is supported by several organizations, including the Environmental Working Group, International Dairy Foods Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, among others.

Global

WHO Issues Call for Experts to Develop Food-Based Dietary Guidelines 

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a call for experts to contribute to the development of guidelines on optimal intake of animal source foods and plant food alternatives. WHO intends to develop global guidance on animal source foods and plant food alternatives to complement existing WHO guidance on macronutrient intake. The agency is seeking candidates to establish two groups of experts with expertise in nutrition science, with a focus on the effects of diet on risk of noncommunicable disease and other relevant health outcomes, and food safety risk assessment methodology, among others. The development of this work is anticipated to take two to three years from inception to final recommendations. The deadline for submissions is April 28, 2024.

UK Food Standards Agency Releases Report on Children's Meals in Restaurants 

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) released a report that examined Northern Ireland restaurant owners' and managers’ perspectives on providing healthier options for children, investigating the range of options available on children's menus, and determining the nutritional content of popular children’s meals. The report suggests that children’s meals served in restaurants in Northern Ireland needs improvement, showcasing that children’s menus were limited in terms of choice, limited availability of ‘healthy’ options, and that most popular children’s meals were found high in energy, saturated fat, and sodium. The FSA intends to consider how the agency can further support businesses to improve the nutritional quality of food available on children’s menus.

Fun Fact: The world's longest cucumber measured 3 feet and 8.6 inches long.