Food & Nutrition

House Ways and Means Subcommittee Hosts Hearing on Chronic Disease 

The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health held the hearing, Investing in a Healthier America: Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment, to examine the prevalence of chronic disease and the value of investing in prevention and innovative treatment options. During the hearing, the subcommittee and witnesses criticized the role of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in driving the diet-related chronic disease epidemic. They also drew parallels between the food and tobacco industries, noting concerns that the food industry is selling products with ‘addictive characteristics’ and utilizing marketing tactics to appeal to children and young adults. Speakers also testified on the importance of integrating food is medicine interventions - such as medically-tailored meals and produce prescription programs - into the country’s healthcare system. The hearing served to bring attention to the potential link between UPFs and increased rates of chronic disease in the U.S. 

House Introduces National Food as Medicine Act

Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced the National Food as Medicine Act. The legislation would create a Food as Medicine Waiver Grant program to establish, implement, and expand food as medicine interventions. The bill would also direct HHS to develop and issue food as medicine guidance to aid in the implementation, planning, and expansion of food as medicine programs as well as require HHS to submit a report to Congress regarding the impact of food as medicine programs.

IFIC Publishes Survey on Consumer Perceptions of Food Ingredient Safety

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) published the consumer research survey, American Consumer Perceptions of Food Ingredient Safety, that examined consumers’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about the safety and healthfulness of food and food ingredients. The consumer survey found several key findings, including that consumers reported the highest levels of concern about E.coli in ground beef and heavy metals in baby food. Consumers also reported that colors/dyes, sugar substitutes, MSG, bioengineered/GMO ingredients, nanoplastics, and preservatives are avoided most often, and cited that the top two reasons they avoid colors/dyes is the belief that they are “unhealthy or unsafe” to consume. Additionally, 41% of consumers reported they avoid ultra-processed foods and 37% avoid plant-based meat alternatives. This survey builds on IFIC's 2024 Food & Health Survey and serves as part of IFIC’s Spotlight Survey series.

Food Safety

House Introduces Safe School Meals Act

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Safe School Meals Act (SSMA), which seeks to restrict and prohibit certain chemicals in school meals. The legislation would direct FDA to set limits for heavy metals in school meals, as well as ban glyphosate, paraquat, and organophosphate pesticide residues from foods and ban PFAS, phthalates, lead, and bisphenols in food packaging. The bill would also direct FDA to reevaluate food additives, such as artificial food dyes, and ban their use in school meals. Senator Booker introduced the legislation during the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing, Keeping Kids Learning in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. In his remarks, Booker also criticized the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in children's diets, citing that these products contain "toxic" substances, including artificial food dyes, heavy metals, and environmental toxins.

Study Examines Human Exposure of Food Contact Chemicals in Food Packaging 

A study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology examined human exposure to food contact chemicals (FCCs), such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, metals, and volatile organic compounds. The study found that of the roughly 14,000 known chemicals in food packaging and other food contact articles, approximately 25% were found in the human body. Researchers note that this study establishes a link between FCCs, exposure, and human health, serving to improve the understanding of FCCs’ contribution to chemical exposure and for improving public health.

Agriculture

USDA Invests in School Meals with Training for School Nutrition Professionals

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awarded approximately $8.6 million in Team Nutrition Training Grants to 11 states that administer the National School Lunch Program. The grants intend to provide school nutrition professionals with skills and knowledge to best adhere to the agency’s updated school nutrition standards, with implementation beginning in school year 2025-26. 

USDA Announces Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Grants

USDA announced an investment of $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity and expand market opportunities for U.S. farmers and in rural areas. The investments will be used towards building and expanding meat and poultry processing plants in the awarded states. The announcement serves as the final investment in the agency’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) and supports the Biden Administration's Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain.

Global

BIFAD Hosts Meeting and Releases Evidence Review on Healthy Diet Interventions 

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD) held a public meeting to discuss draft findings and recommendations presented in Boards' latest evidence review on increasing the demand for healthy diets in USAID’s Feed the Future and Nutrition Priority countries. The review examined the current evidence on the effectiveness of policies and interventions that seek to enhance the supply of nutritious and safe foods and support consumer demand for healthier diets, including fiscal policies (e.g., sugar-sweetened beverage taxes and subsidies), regulatory policies (e.g., dietary guidelines, labeling, and reformulation), food loss and waste, and food safety, among others. BIFAD is accepting public comments on the evidence review until October 4, 2024. 

UK Government Responds to Consultation on Food Advertising Restrictions

The UK government released a consultation outcome document summarizing feedback received on its 2022 consultation regarding the country's regulation to restrict the advertising of less healthy food and drink products on TV and online. The consultation sought feedback on the clarity of the definitions set out in the draft regulations, including the scope of the products and businesses covered under the advertising restrictions. As part of the UK's response, the government also opened an additional consultation on how the restrictions will apply to internet protocol television (IPTV) services and is accepting public comments on the approach until October 10, 2024. These restrictions, which will ban the advertisement of less healthy products before 9 p.m. on TV and restrict paid-for less healthy food and drink advertising online, are scheduled to come into force on October 1, 2025.  

Study Examines Degree of Food Processing and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

A study published in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe examined the association between the degree of food processing and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus across eight European countries. The study found that greater ultra-processed food (UPF) intake, according to the NOVA classification system, was associated with higher incident type 2 diabetes mellitus. Researchers also found that some UPF sub-groups were associated with higher type 2 diabetes mellitus risk, including savory snacks, animal-based products, ready-to-eat/heat-mixed dishes, and artificially- and sugar-sweetened beverages. On the other hand, breads, biscuits, breakfast cereals, sweets, desserts, and plant-based alternatives were associated with lower incidences of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Study Finds Foods Ranked Unhealthy with Nutri-Score Associated with CVD Risk

A study published in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe examined the association between the front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labeling system Nutri-Score and the risk of cardiovascular disease across seven European countries. The study found that the consumption of foods with a higher Nutri-Score rating, reflecting a lower overall nutritional quality of diet, was associated with a higher risk of overall cardiovascular diseases. Researchers also found that participants consuming foods with a higher Nutri-Score rating were also more likely to consume higher intakes of energy, sugar, total fats, processed meat, sweet beverages, and ultra-processed foods. The study serves as the first to examine the risk of cardiovascular diseases in a large European population, suggesting that Nutri-Score can be an effective tool in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases on a continental scale.

Fun Fact: The city of Granada in Spain is named after the Spanish word for pomegranate.