Marketing Orders: May 2024

USA: Amendments to the Marketing Order on Almonds Grown in California The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule amending Marketing Order No. 981, which regulates the handling of almonds grown in California. This rule modifies the definition of almonds and shelled almonds, establishes a definition for “almond biomass,” […]

Food Safety Update: May 2024

China: National Food Safety Usage Standard for Food Additives On March 12, 2024, China released the National Food Safety Usage Standard for Food Additives (GB2760-2024), which will enter into force on February 8, 2025, replacing the current standard GB2760-2014. A USDA GAIN report published on May 6 provides an unofficial translation of the updated standard. […]

Latest Trade News and Agreements: May 2024

EU: Draft Delegated Regulation on Agri-food Consignments Requiring Notification of Arrival in the EU The European Commission has published a draft Delegated Regulation that sets out cases where, and conditions under which, competent authorities may request that operators notify the arrival in the EU of consignments of certain categories of agri-food goods not subject to […]

Sustainability Update: May 2024

China: Draft Corporate Sustainability Disclosure Standards On May 27, 2024, the Chinese Ministry of Finance began soliciting opinions on draft guidelines aimed at unifying corporate sustainability disclosures, with a view to establishing a nationwide standard by 2030, according to China’s State Council Information Office. The draft guidelines set general requirements for corporate sustainability information disclosures […]

Codex Alimentarius: 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods

The Committee adopted a definition of ready-to-eat peanuts The 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF17) took place in Panama City from April 15-19, 2024. Among other agenda items, the Committee discussed a definition of ready-to-eat peanuts proposed by an India-led Electronic Working Group (EWG) in which the INC participated alongside […]

Study Highlights Options for Managing Tree Nut Allergy

Several approaches are available to improve health and quality of life in allergic patients A new systematic review and narrative synthesis published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology set out to comprehensively describe current and exploratory therapeutic options for managing tree nut allergy. Researchers searched three bibliographic databases for studies published until January 2024, looking for […]

Eating Prunes May Help Prevent Increase in Belly Fat in Postmenopausal Women

Preventing changes in abdominal fat distribution may decrease risk of cardiovascular disease An increase in belly fat is common in postmenopausal women and, when excessive, can be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition set out to evaluate the effect of 12-month prune supplementation on cardiometabolic health […]

India’s New Dietary Guidelines Include Nuts in Definition of “Healthy Meal”

Recommended daily intake of nuts is 40-45 grams for men and 30-40 grams for women India has released new dietary guidelines that include nuts in the definition of a “healthy meal” and outline recommended daily nut intake levels for men, women and children. The guidelines also envisage a key role for nuts in meeting daily […]

1,200+ Professionals Met in Vancouver for 41st World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress

The flagship event of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) took place from May 8-10, 2024. Attendees from 65+ countries gathered to share ideas on key topics shaping the industry landscape. During the round tables, world tree nut production for 2024/25 was forecasted at 6.2 million metric tons (kernel basis, except pistachios in-shell), […]