India: Goa Cashew Secures Geographical Indication Tag
According to the Times of India, Goa cashew has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This distinction, which is conferred upon products originating from a specific region, will enable buyers to differentiate between authentic cashews from Goa and those sourced from outside the southwestern Indian state.
Switzerland: Labeling of Foods Bearing a Health Claim
According to a proposed Swiss regulation on the labeling of foods bearing a health claim, the origin of the main ingredient would only be required if it is present in significant quantities and if otherwise the consumer could be misled about the true origin of this ingredient. The proposed regulation aims to reduce barriers to trade by permitting the indication of larger geographical areas (e.g. “EU”) as indication of origin. This regulation would apply to voluntary indications only. If adopted, the regulation would enter into force on February 1, 2024.
USA: Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins and of Pecans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has revised the U.S. Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. The AMS is modifying two references to the allowances for capstems in order to modernize the standards to reflect current industry practices.
The AMS has also proposed to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell and the US Standards for Grades of Shelled Pecans by replacing the current grades with U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy, U.S. Choice and U.S. Standard grades. The proposal would also update terminology, definitions and defect scoring guides.