Regulatory Watch

Is trans fat limit 'good science'?

The Department of Health and Human Services and USDA are reviewing public comments on new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, with several food industry groups weighing in on the issue. Richard Jarman of the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) said his group would like to see more scientific support in the guidelines. "We do not believe that some of the key messages are fully supported by the dietary guidelines. For example, with respect to the recommendation to limit trans fat intake to one percent of calories, NFPA believes that the science base may not be adequate to support the level, and that stronger scientific justification be expressed," he said.

Shell egg provision may reduce Salmonella

The Food and Drug Administration is proposing new regulations to improve the safety of shell eggs on the farm. The agency says that, when implemented, the production changes will significantly reduce the number of illnesses caused by eggs contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). "The implementation of the provisions of this rule would reduce the number of SE-related illnesses by 33,500 and is a major step in realizing our public health goal of a 50% reduction in all Salmonellosis and a 50% reduction in SE outbreaks by 2010," said FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Lester M. Crawford. "This action builds upon the safe consumer handling, labeling and egg refrigeration and retail rule of 2000."