Regulatory Watch

Fight over GMO labels continues

September 4, 2014

Food industry leaders are stepping up efforts to head off any attempt by Congress to pass mandatory GMO (genetically modified organisms) labeling laws.

Regulatory Watch

Negotiations may help increased exports

June 4, 2014

The Obama Administration is winning praise from organizations that say Washington’s ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations may pave the way for increased exports

Regulatory Watch

IDFA, NMPF oppose interstate sale of raw milk

June 4, 2014

Dairy producers and dairy processors have found another issue on which they agree.

Regulatory Watch

Proposed legislation to set federal standard for labels on GM food

June 4, 2014

The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, a trade group supporting genetically modified (GM) food, is voicing support for proposed legislation to set a federal standard for labels on GM food.

No change needed in daily sodium consumption levels?

May 6, 2014

Meat processors are calling on federal regulators to revisit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for daily sodium consumption.

Major change to WIC program includes fresh foods, whole grains and yogurt

April 8, 2014

USDA has finalized changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC. Among the changes is a new emphasis on fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy. It’s the first major revision to the program since 1980.

Regulatory Watch

Vilsack says funding cut won’t compromise meat safety

April 8, 2014

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says a cut to USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service contained in the Obama administration’s 2015 budget proposal will not hamper the agency’s meat, poultry and egg inspection responsibilities.

Regulatory Watch

Dairy industry reaps Farm Bill benefits

March 8, 2014

The newly passed Farm Bill reduces funding for SNAP, the federal food stamp program, by $8 billion and trims a number of subsidies for food producers. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) says the bill significantly increases support for fruits and vegetables growers and local food systems.

Regulatory Watch

Light at the end of the tunnel for Farm Billl?

The House and Senate could agree on a version of the farm bill as early as January.

Wayne Labs

January 10, 2014

Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, says there is still a lot of work for lawyers to do, but it’s possible there could be a version of the Farm Bill the House and Senate could agree to sometime in January.

Regulatory Watch

Debate over trans fats continues

Several industry groups have requested more time to submit comments.

Wayne Labs

January 10, 2014

Food manufacturers want more time to comment on FDA’s early November preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils, the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” for use in food. FDA’s preliminary determination is based on available scientific evidence, and the agency has requested stakeholder comments by January 7, 2014.