Food Safety Update: February 2023

EU: Additional Official Controls on Organic Products Following an in-depth review of all the notifications entered into the Organic Farming Information System (OFIS) over a period of one year, the European Commission decided that a number of products originating in certain third countries should be subjected to additional controls in 2023. Products of concern: Country […]

Latest Trade News and Agreements: February 2023

Australia-US: New Access for Australian Roasted Macadamia Nuts Australia can now export roasted macadamia nuts —in their shell or husk— to the United States. The new market access comes after Australia provided scientific evidence that the roasting process removed phytosanitary pest risks. The US Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service subsequently updated their import requirements. […]

Sustainability Update: February 2023

Global Circularity Report 2023 Published by Circle Economy in collaboration with Deloitte, and launched during the World Economic Forum on January 16, 2023, the report warns that the global economy is now only 7.2% circular. The report identifies 16 transformational circular solutions across four key systems that center on the principles of use less, use […]

January 2023 News Brief

INC Strategic Goals to Aid in the Sustainable Growth of the Nut & Dried Fruit Sector, 2022-2026 In late 2022, the INC Executive Committee held its Strategic Planning Meeting to define a series of strategic goals aimed at bringing the industry together as a whole to increase consumption: 1) Increase global consumption to ensure a […]

New Study on Oral Immunotherapy to Treat Peanut Allergy

A new study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy assessed the safety and efficacy of oral immunotherapy using sequential doses of boiled peanuts followed by roasted peanuts to treat peanut allergy in children. Researchers conducted an open-label, phase II, single-arm clinical trial in children between the ages of 6 and 18 years with a history of […]

New Study on Post-Exercise Benefits of Almond Intake

The journal Frontiers in Nutrition has published a new study analyzing how the ingestion of almonds affects post-exercise inflammation and muscle soreness and damage. Researchers conducted a study with a randomized, parallel group design to determine whether daily consumption of almonds would mitigate post-exercise inflammation and muscle soreness and damage. A total of 64 non-obese […]

Recent Study Finds Positive Effects of Walnut Consumption on Mental Health

A recent study published in the journal Nutrients examined the effects of academic stress and daily walnut consumption on mental health, biochemical markers of general health and gut microbiota in university students. Researchers conducted a randomized feeding trial in 80 healthy male and female undergraduate students at the University of South Australia between the ages […]

INC Updates on EU Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Concerns for Dried Fruits

EFSA Scientific Opinion on sulfur dioxide-sulfites usage levels As previously announced, on November 24, 2022, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) published its Scientific Opinion on the Follow-up of the re‐evaluation of sulfur dioxide (E 220), sodium sulfite (E 221), sodium bisulfite (E 222), sodium metabisulfite (E 223), potassium metabisulfite (E 224), calcium sulfite (E […]

Labeling Update: January 2023

USA: Consultation on Food Allergen Labeling Requirements The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking public and industry comments on two guidance documents about food allergen labeling requirements. Both documents intend to help the food industry meet the need to list any significant food allergen on the labels of FDA-regulated foods. Major food allergens […]