Nut consumption, kidney function, chronic kidney disease and mortality: A systematic review

Purpose of Review: This systematic review evaluates the association between nut consumption and kidney health outcomes, including kidney function markers and chronic kidney disease (CKD) incidence, prevalence, and mortality. Given the nutritional benefits of nuts and the growing burden of CKD, we aimed to assess whether nut consumption is associated with kidney-related outcomes and to […]

Daily consumption of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts beneficially affects regional brain insulin responsiveness in older adults: results of a longer-term randomized controlled trial

Brain insulin responsiveness is implicated in age-related metabolic and cognitive conditions. We previously reported that daily consumption of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts improved memory in older adults. Here, we investigated whether changes in brain insulin responsiveness may contribute to these effects. In a randomized, single-blind, controlled crossover study, 31 older adults (67 ± 4 years) consumed […]

China Sets Out Plans to Accelerate Agricultural Modernization on State-Owned Farms

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs held a national conference on October 13, 2026, in Ruichang, Jiangxi Province, on promoting agricultural modernization on state-owned farms. The meeting laid the groundwork for speeding up that modernization during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, which runs from 2026 to 2030. According to the Ministry, state-owned farms are […]

Hormuz Traffic Recovers to Post-War Highs as Attacks on Shipping Intensify

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in September reached its highest level since the war began at the end of February. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, at least 477 vessels not linked to Iran crossed the strait during the month. Inbound movements into the Gulf, which Lloyd’s List treats as a sign of shipowner confidence, […]

IMF Raises 2026 Global Growth Forecast but Warns Resilience Is “Under Strain”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) published its October 2026 World Economic Outlook on October 13, during the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The IMF projects global growth to slow to 3.1% in 2026 before recovering to 3.4% in 2027. It expects global headline inflation to rise notably to 4.7% this year and ease to […]

USDA Moves California Almond Marketing Order Toward New Seasonal Credit Authority

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a proposed rule and referendum order on October 8, 2026, that would amend Marketing Order No. 981 for California almonds. The amendment would authorize the Almond Board of California (ABC) to borrow from a commercial lending institution through a seasonal line of credit. […]

Update on Increase of EU Nickel ML in Pecans

As noted previously, the European Commission has agreed internally to raise the maximum level (ML) for nickel in pecans from 3.5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. The European Commission and Member States (MS) held a meeting of the Commission Working Group (CWG) on Environmental Contaminants on September 10-11, 2026. According to FRUCOM, the Commission noted that […]

European Parliament’s Environment Committee Backs Simpler Packaging Rules for SMEs

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) has backed a proposal to temporarily suspend the requirement for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to appoint an authorized representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in each EU Member State. While the Commission proposed a complete suspension until 2035 of the obligation on producers to appoint an authorized representative […]

EU Trade Preferences for Armenia Enter Into Force, Covering Nuts and Dried Fruits

Regulation (EU) 2026/2269, introducing temporary trade-liberalization measures for selected products originating in Armenia, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 9 and entered into force the following day. The regulation exempts covered products from ad valorem import duties, either directly or within specified tariff quotas, and applies until October 11, […]