CODEX: Maximum Level for Total Aflatoxins in Ready-to-Eat Peanuts
The 15th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF15), which was held in May 2022, agreed to re-establish the electronic working group (EWG) chaired by India and co-chaired by Senegal, to prepare a new proposal for a maximum level (ML) for total aflatoxins (AFT) in ready-to-eat (RTE) peanuts and an associated sampling […]
Labeling Update: March 2023
USA: Labeling of Plant-Based Drinks and Voluntary Nutrient Statements The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft recommendations for the industry on the naming of plant-based beverages that are marketed and sold as alternatives to milk. The draft guidance also recommends voluntary nutrient statements for the labeling of some plant-based drinks. The deadline […]
Food Safety Update: March 2023
EU: MRLs Update Draft MRLs: Pesticide Commodity Proposed MRL (mg/kg) Pyriproxyfen(1) Tree nuts 0.01 Teflubenzuron(2) Diuron(2) Etoxazole(2) (1) Proposed date of entry into force: May 1, 2024. More information (2) Proposed date of publication: October 11, 2023. More information New MRLs: Pesticide Commodity New MRL (mg/kg) Triadimenol Tree nuts 0.01 Peanuts 0.02 Didecyldimethylammonium chloride Tree […]
Latest Trade News and Agreements: March 2023
Chile: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership In February 2023, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) entered into force in Chile, making it the eleventh country to become a member of this free trade agreement along with Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. More information […]
Sustainability Update: March 2023
2023 Corporate Circular Target-Setting Guidance At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the Circular Economy Indicators Coalition released its 2023 Corporate Circular Target-Setting Guidance. This guidance seeks to provide businesses with a clear launching point for selecting and reporting against impactful circular targets. The coalition is co-hosted by the Platform for Accelerating the Circular […]
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 […]
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 […]