Marketing Orders: February 2024
USA: Assessment Rate Decreased for California Walnuts A rule issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implements a recommendation from the California Walnut Board to decrease the assessment rate for California walnuts handled under Marketing Order No. 984. This rule decreases the assessment rate for California walnuts handled under the Order from US$0.0125 per […]
Food Safety Update: February 2024
EU: Restrictions on Use of Flavoring Substances Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/238, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on January 16, 2024, introduces restrictions on the use of certain flavoring substances. Substance Food category Maximum level 2-Phenylcrotonaldehyde Processed fruits and vegetables 0.05 mg/kg 5-Methyl-2-phenylhex-2-enal Processed fruits and vegetables 1.10 mg/kg 4-Methyl-2-phenylpent-2-enal Processed fruits […]
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 […]
Marketing Orders: January 2024
USA: Temporary Relaxation of Requirements for California Raisins The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an interim rule that temporarily changes the requirements for raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California. For the 2023/24 crop year, the minimum requirements for substandard and maturity dockage in the marketing […]
Food Safety Update: January 2024
California: Private Applicator Certificate (“Brown Card”) Changes Under new regulations effective as of January 1, 2024, individuals currently certified as private pesticide applicators are required to take and pass the revised initial Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) Examination to demonstrate competency with the revised private applicator standards in 40 CFR Part 171. For more information, see […]
Latest Trade News and Agreements: January 2024
Brazil: Almond Imports from Argentina Allowed for First Time Brazil and Argentina recently reached an agreement to allow the import of almonds from Argentina into Brazil. The recently announced phytosanitary requirements for Argentine almonds will come into force on February 1, 2024. Under the new guidelines, a phytosanitary certificate issued by Argentina’s plant protection authority […]
Sustainability Update: January 2024
EU: Council Adopts Negotiating Position on Sustainable Packaging Rules On December 18, 2023, the Council reached an agreement (“general approach”) on a proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste. The proposal requires that all packaging be recyclable and that the presence of substances of concern be minimized. It also sets labelling requirements, sets […]
Food Safety Update: November 2023
FAO/WHO: Recommended Threshold Values for Food Allergens The report on the fifth meeting of the ad hoc FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Allergens was recently published. The report establishes maximum safe limits for Brazil nuts, macadamias and pine nuts, among other food products. More information EU: Commission Expected to Renew Approval of Glyphosate for […]
Latest Trade News and Agreements: November 2023
China-Serbia: Free Trade Agreement China and Serbia signed a free trade agreement on October 17, 2023. In order for the agreement to enter into force, the two sides must now complete their respective domestic procedures. More information China: Update on Peanut Exporting Facility Registration Process A recent USDA GAIN report provided an update on […]