Weekly Newsletter | August 10, 2023
Food & Nutrition

FDA Publishes Rules to Amend Regulations on Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods
FDA published the direct final rule and companion proposed rule, Revocation of Uses of Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods. The direct final rule amends the agency’s regulations that provide for the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in food to remove all mention of PHOs from FDA’s generally recognized as safe (GRAS) regulations that reflect the agency’s final determination that PHOs are not GRAS in 2015. These actions 1) remove PHOs as an optional ingredient in the standards of identity for peanut butter and canned tuna, 2) revise FDA’s GRAS regulations to no longer include partially hydrogenated forms of menhaden and rapeseed oils, 3) revoke the regulation for partially hydrogenated fish oil as an indirect food substance, and 4) revoke prior sanctions for the use of PHOs in margarine, shortening, and bread, rolls, and buns. Comments on this direct final rule and companion proposed rule are due October 23, 2023.

USDA Releases Global Food Security Dashboard 
USDA released a new Global Food Security Dashboard to examine a variety of indicators and metrics reflecting several facets of food and nutrition security. The dashboard’s several facets include global data on food insecurity indicators such as undernourishment, elevated food insecurity, healthy diet costs, and food-insecure populations. Additionally, other indicators include trade disruption vulnerability, importance of imports to food security, daily caloric intake per person, and dietary calories by food groups. The dashboard aims to guide evidence-based policy decisions and promote stakeholder accountability and collaboration within the food and nutrition security sector.

NIH to Host Workshop on Health Equity with Culture-Centered Dietary Interventions
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is hosting a two-day workshop, "Advancing Health Equity Through Culture-Centered Dietary Interventions to Address Chronic Diseases." The workshop aims to provide recommendations for future research on the development and implementation of culture-centered dietary interventions among diverse communities. The event intends to review cultural foodways and sociocultural factors to improve the effectiveness of dietary interventions among diverse populations, identify gaps and opportunities for research on the cultural tailoring and adaptation of evidence-based dietary approaches to prevent diet-related diseases in culturally-diverse populations, and examine the influence of culture-related factors on biological mechanisms’ underlying responses to traditional dietary patterns.

Study Suggests “High In” FOPNL Indicators May Reduce Risk of Diet-Related Diseases
A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition examined the dietary impact of substituting foods with similar foods that displayed at least one less “high in” front-of-package nutrition label (FOPNL) symbol and its impact on the reduction of diet-related noncommunicable disease (NCD) deaths. Researchers found that after implementing mandatory “high in” FOPNL symbols, 30-70% of consumers chose or were willing to choose products with fewer “high in” indications, estimating approximately 2,200 to 7,000 diet-related deaths could be averted if consumers choose products with fewer “high in'' indications on food packages. The study suggests that FOPNL may significantly reduce sodium and total sugar intakes among Canadian adults, as they may avert or delay diet-related NCD deaths.

Study Suggests Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Increases Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
A study published in Diabetes Care examined the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. Researchers found that some UPF subgroups were associated with lower T2D risk than others. Notably, subgroups such as cereals, dark and whole-grain breads, packaged sweet and savory snacks, fruit-based products, and yogurt and dairy-based desserts were associated with lower T2D risk. In contrast, refined breads, sauces, spreads, condiments, sugar-sweetened beverages, and animal-based products were associated with higher T2D risk. This study suggests that total UPF consumption is associated with higher T2D risk, while some UPF subgroups may be associated with lower risk in U.S. cohorts.
Food Safety

FDA to Host Listening Session on Modernizing Recalls of FDA-Regulated Products
FDA announced the agency is hosting the public meeting, “Modernizing Food and Drug Administration Recalls Listening Session,” on September 29, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST. The listening session aims to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share information and feedback about topics related to recall modernization of FDA-regulated products. FDA is seeking input from stakeholders that address eight topic areas, including general recall preparations, successful recall strategies, initiating recalls, strategies for public warning, efficiency and effectiveness of recall information exchange, ensuring effective recalls, recall termination, and strategies for reducing recall recurrence. Registration to attend in person and provide oral comment is due September 1, 2023.
Agriculture

USDA Invests to Support School Meals in Small and Rural Communities
USDA announced an investment of $30 million in subgrants to 264 school districts across 44 states and the District of Columbia. These grants intend to support school districts in improving their meal nutritional quality by modernizing operations through innovative staff training programs, kitchen updates and renovations, redesigning food preparation and service spaces, and school-district-led efforts to support school meals and school nutrition professionals. This investment was made in support of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.
Global

Australia Opens Consultation on Industrially-Produced Trans Fats in Processed Foods
The Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) opened a public consultation to support the consideration to ensure industrially-produced trans fats are eliminated or reduced from the food supply and support all population groups to minimize their consumption of trans fats. FRSC is proposing three policy options, 1) voluntary reformulation, 2) regulatory limits for industrial trans fats in processed foods, and 3) prohibiting the use of partially-hydrogenated oils in processed foods. The FRSC public consultation closes on September 15, 2023.

Fun Fact: The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth is called "arachibutyrophobia."