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 […]

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 […]