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 […]
Food Safety Update: January 2023
FAO: Risk Assessment of Food Allergens (Part 2) The FAO and WHO reconvened the Ad hoc Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Risk Assessment of Food Allergens for a second meeting to provide scientific advice and establish threshold levels in foods for priority allergens. The committee considered four approaches to define thresholds: analytical-based; no observed adverse […]
Latest Trade News and Agreements: January 2023
WTO Rules Against US Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum According to Reuters, on December 9, 2022, the World Trade Organization ruled against US tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports. Back in 2018, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% on aluminum, using Section 232 of a 1962 act allowing to […]
Sustainability Update: January 2023
UN COP15 Outcomes and ISSB Climate-related Disclosures Standard The UN COP15 concluded in Montreal with an agreement to halt and reverse the destruction of nature by 2030. The Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement includes key global targets such as: to restore 30% degraded ecosystems globally by 2030, and to sustainably manage areas under agriculture and forestry. Also, […]
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. […]