Weekly Newsletter | April 13, 2023
Food & Nutrition

2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to Host Second Public Meeting
Registration is now open to attend the second 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) public meeting on May 10, 2023, from 9 a.m - 3:30 p.m. EST. The meeting will feature presentations by each subcommittee and deliberations by the full Committee regarding the prioritization of scientific questions as well as a discussion of future work. The third DGAC meeting, previously slated to convene in October, will now be held on September 13, 2023 and will include the opportunity for oral public comment.   

FDA Amends Standard of Identity for Yogurt 
This week, the FDA issued a final order to modify the yogurt standard of identity final rule. The FDA issued the final rule in 2021 to amend the standard of identity for yogurt, but this rule was stayed in response to stakeholder feedback. This final order modifies the final rule’s provisions and amends the yogurt standard acidity requirement to require yogurt products to have a pH of 4.6 or lower. The rule becomes effective April 14, 2023, with a compliance date of January 1, 2024.

GAO Publishes Report on U.S. Food Inflation
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published the report, ​​Food Prices: Information on Trends, Factors, and Federal Role. The report examines retail food price trends from 2013 to 2022, factors that may affect retail food prices, and roles the federal government may play to address food inflation throughout the supply chain. The report found that from 2021-2022 retail food prices increased by 11%, the largest increase in 40 years. These increases were exacerbated by global disruptions to the food supply chain such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate change, animal and plant disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic. GAO suggests that federal agencies can play an important role in offsetting food inflation through technical assistance, guidance, and policies that can help maintain a resilient food supply chain.

NASEM To Host Workshop on Translating Nutrition Science into Public Policy
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) Standing Committee on Evidence Synthesis and Communication in Diet and Chronic Disease Relationships is hosting a virtual workshop on April 26, 2023, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. EST. The workshop will feature two sessions to explore the successes and limitations involved with translating nutrition research into public policy and community practice. The first session will examine the availability of education and continuing professional development models to translate scientific findings across disciplinary areas, and the second will examine the translation of nutrition science to individual and community-wide behavior for improved nutrition outcomes. 

Study Suggests UPF Consumption Increases Body Fat Percentage in U.S. Adults
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine examined the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and body fat distribution among U.S. adults. Researchers used the NOVA system to classify ultra-processed foods. The study found that high UFP consumption, accounting for more than 72% of daily energy consumption, was associated with increased percentage of total fat, android fat, and gynoid fat compared to low UPF consumption in U.S. adults. Researchers suggest further research is needed to assess the impact of UPF on body composition in different populations.

Study Suggests Added Sugar Intake Increases Risk of Negative Health Outcomes
A study published in BMJ examined the association between dietary sugar consumption and various health outcomes. The study suggests that reducing the consumption of added sugars to <25 g/day and limiting the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) to less than one serving/week may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes, among other adverse health effects. Researchers also found that increasing SSB consumption by one serving/week was associated with a 4% higher risk of gout, while an increase of 250 mL/day was linked to a 17% higher risk of coronary heart disease and a 4% higher risk of all-cause mortality.
Food Safety

EPA Publishes Notice of Advanced Rulemaking on PFAS 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, Addressing PFAS in the Environment. The agency is seeking input to assist in the potential development of future Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) regulations regarding the designation of hazardous substances of seven PFAS chemicals under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The notice notes that PFAS can be present in food and food packaging materials such as grease resistant papers, fast food containers and wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers.
Agriculture

USDA Extends Comment Period of “Product of USA” Label Claim Proposed Rule
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) extended the comment period for the proposed rule, Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims, which would define the conditions under which meat, poultry, and egg products can use the claim. The proposed rule would allow the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim to be used on meat, poultry, and egg products only when those products are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S. The comment period is extended by an additional 30 days until June 11, 2023.
Global

Study Examines Implementation of Chile’s Food Labeling and Advertising Law
A study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity examined child and adolescent intake of key nutrients of concern, including total sugars, saturated fats, and sodium in school settings after the initial implementation of Chile’s Food Labeling and Advertising Law. The study found a reduction in the consumption of these key nutrients in school environments after the restrictions were implemented in 2016. Researchers also found that despite the reduction of these nutrients in schools, the consumption of these nutrients increased in other locations, including restaurants, corner stores, and other out-of-school food environments following the law’s implementation.

Fun Fact: Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.