A newly published book by CRC Press provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the health benefits of nuts and dried fruits. Entitled Health Benefits of Nuts and Dried Fruits, the book summarizes the current state of knowledge in key research areas and presents ideas for future research.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has received several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.

From January 1, 2020, US almonds can be exported to Morocco free of quotas and tariffs.

On February 10, 2020, the Department of Health of South Africa issued Regulations Governing the Maximum Limits for Pesticide Residues That May Be Present in Foodstuffs: Amendment.

On February 1, 2020, the Government of India issued the annual budget for Indian Fiscal Year 2020/21, which increased tariffs on shelled walnuts, among other products.

The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft Commission Implementing Regulation concerning the non-renewal of approval of the active substance beta-cyfluthrin, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, and amending the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.

The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft Commission Regulation (EU) amending Annexes II, III, IV and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for azinphos-methyl, bentazone, dimethomorph, fludioxonil, flufenoxuron, oxadiazon, phosalone, pyraclostrobin, repellants: tall oil and teflubenzuron in or on certain products.

Oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the aging process and many age-related diseases.

The approval of the active substances chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl and thiacloprid has not been renewed (see previous posts: chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, and thiacloprid).

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the Reasoned Opinion on the Review of the existing maximum residue levels for cycloxydim, acequinocyl, fluxapyroxad and abamectin.