Food & Nutrition

Senate HELP Committee to Host Hearing on Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling 

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones, requesting that they testify in a hearing regarding the agency's progress to develop a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling system. Sanders announced that the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing on December 5, 2024, to discuss the topic in support of mandatory warning labels. In the letter, Sanders criticized FDA's delay in publishing the FOP nutrition labeling proposed rule, which was initially slated for release in December 2023, and called on the agency to ensure that consumers understand the potential health risks associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The senator urged FDA to issue the proposed rule in advance of the hearing, with witnesses to be announced at a later date.

USDA FNS Releases FY 2020 and 2022 SNAP Participation Rates Report

USDA's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) released the agency’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 and 2022 Trends in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation Rates Report. The report is the latest in the agency’s series on SNAP participation rates, finding that the program served 88% of all eligible individuals in FY 22, which marked the highest SNAP participation rate in the program’s history. FNS also found that very low or no income individuals participated at higher rates than other eligible individuals and elderly individuals participated at lower rates than other eligible individuals in FY 22. The report also highlighted that eligible rural households had higher participation rates than eligible urban households, reflecting the broader reach of SNAP in rural communities.

Food Safety

FDA Releases Post-Market Assessment of Food Chemicals Meeting Materials 

FDA released the recording, transcript, and meeting summary following the agency’s public meeting on the Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for FDA’s Post Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food, held on September 25, 2024. The feedback and public comments received from the public meeting will help inform the agency's thinking and further its development of FDA's post-market assessment process, including considerations for identifying and prioritizing food chemicals currently in the market for safety reviews. FDA is requesting public comment on the agency’s enhanced systematic process approach, with written public comments due December 6, 2024.

Agriculture

USDA FSIS Extends Comment Period for Salmonella Framework Proposed Rule 

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the comment period for the agency’s proposed rule and determination, Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products, until January 17, 2025. The deadline for submitting comments was originally scheduled for October 7, 2024, and was later extended until November 7, 2024. The comment period extension was granted to allow stakeholders additional time to consider the proposal and formulate public comments. The proposed rule and determination builds on FSIS’ efforts to reduce Salmonella contamination and illnesses associated with raw poultry products.

Fun Fact: October 16th is celebrated as World Food Day, commemorating the founding date of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945.