Latest Trade News and Agreements: February 2024

EU: Increased Controls on Certain Organic Products The European Commission, together with the Group of Experts on Organic Production, has assessed the information in the Organic Farming Information System (OFIS) and concluded that increased control and reporting measures are necessary for certain imported products. The additional control measures will be applied to the following organic […]

Sustainability Update: February 2024

Cambodia-Africa: Cashew Nuts Association of Cambodia (CAC) Signs MoU with African Cashew Alliance (ACA) On February 3, 2024, the Cashew Nuts Association of Cambodia (CAC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), as reported by the Phnom Penh Post. The objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the […]

10-Year Analysis of RASFF Notifications for Mycotoxins in Nuts

Notifications have been trending downward in recent years In a study published in Food Research International, researchers analyzed notifications from the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) on nuts and nut products contaminated with mycotoxins over a 10-year period. Mycotoxins —secondary metabolites of various fungi— are observed in a broad range of […]

Water Level at Panama Canal Lake Reaches Historic Low for Start of Dry Season

Daily traffic at the canal is down by nearly 40% compared to last year Gatún Lake, the reservoir that enables the operation of the Panama Canal, is at its lowest water level ever for the start of a dry season, as reported by the New York Times. The extreme drought affecting the region appears likely […]

Agri-Food Associations Navigate the “Jungle” of EU Sustainability Reporting Regulations

Industry webinar explores key features of the CSRD and ESRS On January 24, 2024, the INC attended a webinar on EU corporate sustainability reporting regulations organized by the Agri-Food Chain Sustainability Roundtable, a group of European agri-food industry associations established in March 2022 to exchange information on sustainability-related legislation. The purpose of the meeting was […]

January 2024 News Brief

Enroll Now for the On-Site Technical Visit! A unique experience with unparalleled industry insights! Join us from May 2-5, 2024, for an immersive 4-day On-site Technical Visit, providing an unparalleled experience that unveils the intricacies of orchards and processing plants in California’s Central Valley. This program offers a comprehensive understanding of the entire supply chain, […]

High-Nut Diet Associated with Large Gains in Life Expectancy

Sustained shift toward a healthier diet can increase lifespan by up to 10 years A recent study published in Nature Food used prospective population-based cohort data to show the effects on life expectancy of switching from an unhealthy diet to a longevity-associated dietary pattern over the long term. Using data from the UK Biobank database […]

Walnut-Enriched Diet Changes Serum Oxylipin Profile in Healthy Older Adults

Oxylipins play a role in cardiovascular disease and aging A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition investigated the long-term effects of walnut consumption on the generation and metabolism of serum oxylipins, which play a role in cardiovascular disease and aging. Oxylipins are derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Walnuts are a source of […]

Prune Supplementation May Mitigate Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women

Eating prunes improved immune, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers A study published in The Journal of Nutrition sheds new light on the effect of prune consumption on bone loss in postmenopausal women. Specifically, given that an elevated inflammatory profile may be linked to accelerated postmenopausal bone loss, the researchers investigated the impact of prune supplementation […]