December 2022 News Brief

Register Now for the 2023 INC Congress in London The INC Congress in London will be here before you know it, so take a few moments now and register to save your spot! From May 22-24, London will welcome the entire nut and dried fruit industry under the umbrella of the INC. It has been […]
Almond Consumption May Aid Weight Management

A new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition has examined how appetite-regulating hormones and self-reported appetite ratings change after consuming almonds versus an isocaloric carbohydrate-rich snack bar. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial in overweight and obese adults aged between 25 and 65 years old. A total of 140 participants were instructed to […]
INC Updates on FDA’s “Healthy” Claim Proposed Rule

As announced in a previous article, on September 29, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed rule to update the definition for the implied nutrient content claim “healthy”, which was set in 1994. This rule, if approved, will revise the requirements for when the term “healthy” can be used. Nuts, seeds, […]
Positive Effects of Regular Brazil Nut Consumption

The journal Foods has published a study that analyzed the effects of regular Brazil nut consumption through a systematical review of clinical trials. The databases, PubMed, Embase®, and Scielo were searched and in total, the researchers found 24 clinical trials, of which 15 were non-randomized. In the studies analyzed, Brazil nuts were consumed in a […]
Labeling Update: December 2022

Japan: Walnuts, Food Labeling Standards The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the proposed Partial Revision to the Food Labeling Standards regarding labeling for certain products and allergen labeling. The Food Labeling Standards will be partially amended to add walnuts to “specified ingredients” for allergen labeling and shall always […]
Marketing Orders Update: December 2022

USA: Increased Assessment Rate for Dried Prunes Produced in California This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Prune Marketing Committee to increase the assessment rate established for the 2022/23 crop year and subsequent fiscal years. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. Deadline for comments is […]
Sustainability Update: December 2022

FAO: The State of Food and Agriculture 2022 This flagship report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) looks into the drivers of agricultural automation, including the more recent digital technologies. Based on 27 case studies, the report analyses the business case for adoption of digital automation technologies in different […]
Food Safety Update: December 2022

Brazil: Dates Produced in the UAE On October 27, 2022, Brazil notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of Ordinance SDA No. 679, which revokes Ordinance SDA/MAPA No. 552, on the phytosanitary requirements for the importation of dried date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) produced in the United Arab Emirates. Comment period ends December 27, 2022. More information […]
INC Joins FRUCOM’s Open Discussion and Dinner

On November 17, 2022, the INC attended FRUCOM’s open discussion and dinner in Hamburg, Germany. The meeting was attended by around 40 participants from different nut and dried fruit organizations and companies, like the Aegean Dried Fruit Exporters Association (Türkiye), Almond Board of California (USA), American Peanut Council (USA), Blacksea Exporters Association (Türkiye), FoodDrinkEurope (Belgium), […]
INC Participates in the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards

The UNECE 77th Session of the Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards took place from November 14-16, 2022 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting served as an opportunity to measure the progress of the Working Party and Specialized Sections, emphasizing the importance of UNECE standards in facilitating international trade in agricultural produce. […]