Food Safety Update: August 2023

EFSA Proposes New MRLs for Flupyradifurone and DFA On July 12, 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing maximum residue levels and setting of import tolerances for flupyradifurone and its metabolite difluoroacetic acid (DFA) in various plant commodities, including grapefruits, macadamias, apricots, plums, cranberries and […]

Latest Trade News and Agreements: August 2023

China: New Quality Standard for Nuts China’s General Quality Standard for Nut and Seed Food, issued on July 11, 2022, by the State Administration for Market Regulation, went into effect on August 1, 2023, according to a USDA GAIN report released on July 20, 2023. The new standard, which replaces the General Standard for Roasted […]

Sustainability Update: August 2023

EU: European Parliament Committees Vote on Proposed Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste Last week, three European Parliament Committees voted on their positions for the proposed Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste. The Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee rejected amendments proposed by rapporteur Virginie Joron and supported compromises drawn up by several groups. […]

July 2023 News Brief

INC Academia: Take the Next Step in Your Professional Development Plus, get 2×1 if you enroll now! If you want to take the next step in your professional development and master the world of nuts and dried fruits, look no further than the INC Academia, the best education for the sector. This year’s edition is […]

Almonds Global Statistical Review

USA: On July 12, the USDA NASS released its 2023 California almond objective forecast at 2.6 billion pounds (1.18 million metric tons), up 4% from May’s subjective forecast and 1% above last season’s crop. If reflecting a 2% loss and exempt, the 2023/24 crop is forecasted at 2.55 B lbs. (1.16 M MT). As discussed […]

Walnuts Global Statistical Review

China: The preliminary Chinese crop is forecasted to remain at last season’s level. Some late frost damage was reported in the northwestern part of the producing region, but the actual extent of the impact was yet to been determined. The objective estimate is expected to be released by next August. Over the last ten years, […]

Nut Consumption Associated with Lower Risk of Depression in Older Adults

Depression was less likely in participants who ate at least a handful of nuts per week A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging set out to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between nut consumption and depression in two cohorts of older adults. The first cohort consisted of a representative […]

Phytochemical Composition and Health Benefits of Figs

Regular fig consumption increases select micronutrient intake An article published recently in Nutrients provides a comprehensive review of the scientific literature assessing the phytochemical composition and health benefits of fresh and dried figs. The purpose of the review was to evaluate the evidence on the chemistry of figs and their potential health-promoting role in the […]

INC Delegation Meets with Indian Ministers of Commerce and Agriculture

The primary goal of the visit was to increase consumption of nuts and dried fruits in India The INC traveled to India earlier this month for an outreach visit that included a meeting with the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Minister of Agriculture, among other high-ranking officials. The aim of the visit was […]