USDA Publishes New Grade Standards for In-shell and Shelled Pecans

First major revision since initial publication of the standards in 1969 The USDA has published a final rule revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell and the U.S. Standards for Grades of Shelled Pecans. This is the first major revision to the standards since their initial publication in 1969. The new […]

INC Participates in 55th Session of Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

New MRLs were proposed for various commodities The 55th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR55) took place from June 3-8, 2024, in Chengdu, China. In addition to recommending Codex maximum residue levels (CXLs), the Committee discussed new active ingredients, new uses and compounds that need to be re-reviewed by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting of […]

Food Safety Update: June 2024

EU: Commission Adopts MLs of Nickel in Nuts In February 2024, the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed Section Novel Food and Toxicological Safety voted in favor of a draft Commission Regulation regarding maximum levels of nickel in certain foodstuffs, including 10 mg/kg in Brazil nuts, cashews, pine nuts and walnuts, 3.5 mg/kg […]

Labeling Update: June 2024

EU: New Marketing Standards Regulation to Enter Into Force in January Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2429 of 17 August 2023, regarding marketing standards for fruits and vegetables, was published nearly a year ago. This Regulation includes new labeling requirements regarding country of origin. Operators and national administrations have until January 1, 2025 to adapt to […]

Latest Trade News and Agreements: June 2024

Argentina: Peanut Export Requirements Eased On June 18, 2024, Argentina’s official gazette published Resolution 50/2024, which removes peanuts from the list of products for which an Affidavit of Foreign Sale is required.   Chile-EFTA: Modernized Free Trade Agreement Signed On June 24, 2024, Chile and the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) —Iceland, […]

Sustainability Update: June 2024

Australia: Beehive Movement Restrictions in Place to Combat Varroa Mite Restrictions on beehive movements are in place in some parts of Australia in order to limit the spread of the varroa mite, a parasite of honeybees. As restrictions and/or requirements are subject to change, beekeepers are advised to check with the relevant authority in the […]

INC Leads Group Drafting UN Food Loss Prevention Code

UNECE reviewed the group’s progress and amended Agricultural Quality Standards In 2023, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce appointed the INC as leader of an ad-hoc drafting group responsible for developing a code of good practice on reducing food loss and food waste in […]

Prune Supplementation May Reduce Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion and Monocyte Activation in Postmenopausal Women

The findings add scientific knowledge about how prunes prevent bone mineral density loss Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), particularly monocytes, are an important source of proinflammatory cytokines that play a key role in postmenopausal bone loss. A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition examined the effect of prune consumption on monocyte activation and […]

May 2024 News Brief

Over 1,200 Professionals From Across the World Met in Vancouver for the 41st World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress A thrilling three days of discovery, networking and doing business We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who attended our congress, contributing to its resounding success. Throughout the event, valuable insights into our […]