News

Grocery

Standards Board Mulls Changes to Organic Guidelines

At the April 26–29 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in Seattle, WA, committee members planned to consider various proposals that would have a major impact on how the National Organic Program is run. One proposal that could prove contentious is for the allowance of synthetic materials in organic products, without prior safety review by FDA or approval by USDA.

Grocery

Produce Traceability Initiative Eyes Progress

Newark, DE—While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) develops its own produce tracing program as is now required by law, a program already established by several produce industry groups, the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), is forging ahead with its own “track-and-trace” system.

Grocery

USDA Enlists “Test and Hold” To Prevent Meat Recalls

Washington, D.C.—In an effort to stem the wastefulness and risks to consumer health associated with meat product recalls, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated a new rule that will prevent meat processors from shipping to stores until safety tests are returned.

Grocery

Grocery Briefs: June 2011

News from industry food companies.

Main News

Lawmakers Educated at 14th Annual Natural Products Day

Washington, D.C.—On April 6, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and other stakeholders gathered in the nation’s capital to promote the natural products industry’s interests to elected officials for Natural Products Day, organized and hosted by the Natural Products Association (NPA).

Breaking News

The Bag Monster Sets Sail

Andy Keller, inventor of the ChicoBag company and alias Bag Monster, is setting sail on a new journey that is meant to expose the harmful affect that plastic bag pollution has on the world’s oceans.

Main News

Anti-GM Lawsuits Filed, Rallies Held Nationwide

Washington, D.C.—In opposition to recently deregulated genetically modified (GM) crops, a lawsuit was filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and Earthjustice. Anti-GM crop activists gather at a rally held on March 26 in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. Local events were also held around the country for those who could not make it to the rally.

Main News

FDA Fails to Encourage Restrictions on Food Dyes

Rockville, MD—Many natural products supporters are dissatisfied with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Advisory Committee's late-March vote, advising FDA that synthetic colors used in foods do not need to carry warning labels.