Regulatory Watch

FDA to Reassess Use of BHA in Food

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:39:00 -0500

BHA is used to prevent spoilage of fats and oils and can be found in various food products including frozen meals, breakfast cereals, cookies, candy, ice cream and meat products.

FDA Requests Information on Gluten Labeling

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:58:00 -0500

The agency is seeking information on adverse reactions to non-wheat gluten containing grains, as well as on oats for cross-contact with these ingredients.

HHS, USDA Unveil Dietary Guidelines Prioritizing ‘Whole Foods’ Over ‘Highly Processed’ Foods

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:34:00 -0500

These agencies cite chronic health conditions, including obesity and diabetes, and “pharmaceutical intervention” for the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.

FDA Could Finalize Front-of-Pack Nutrition Label Rule in Spring 2026

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The agency’s proposed rule would require the display of a compact informational box containing certain nutrient information.

Food Industry Reacts to Removal of Reciprocal Tariffs on Agricultural Products

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 13:30:00 -0500

The reciprocal tariffs, announced in April, have been removed for certain agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa and spices.

FDA Could Soon Reveal Final Rule on Using Ultrafiltered Milk in Cheese Products

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The final rule will amend regulations to provide for the use of fluid ultrafiltered (UF) and microfiltered (MF) milk and nonfat milk in the manufacture of standardized cheeses and related cheese products.

FDA Begins Review Process for ‘Food Chemicals’

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports it will conduct a post-market review for certain preservatives and whitening agents.

FDA, USDA Propose Modernizing Orange Juice Regulations to Benefit U.S. Growers

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:00:00 -0400

The proposed rule would reduce the minimum required Brix level – a measure of dissolved sugar content – in pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%, better reflecting the natural Brix level of American oranges.

FDA, USDA Request Information on Ultra-Processed Foods

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:29:00 -0400

The agencies seek to draft a federally recognized definition of “ultra-processed food” to inform research and policy.

FDA Approves Gardenia Blue Color Additive

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:09:00 -0400

Gardenia blue is the fourth color derived from natural sources approved by the FDA for use in foods as part of its aim to phase out the use of petroleum-based dyes.

FDA to Update Standard of Identity for Canned Tuna

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Based on recommendations submitted by major tuna packers, the final rule is expected later this year.

FDA Approves Natural Color Options Following Move to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Dyes

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In alignment with the FDA’s aim to phase out petroleum-based dyes, the agency has approved three color additives from natural sources for use by food manufacturers.

HHS and FDA Initiate Review of Infant Formula Nutrients

Wed, 14 May 2025 18:00:00 -0400

The FDA is also encouraging companies to work with it on enhancing transparency and improving labeling clarity.

FDA Approves Three Food Colors from Natural Sources

Fri, 09 May 2025 10:31:00 -0400

The move aligns with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s priority to phase out petroleum-based dyes in the nation’s food supply.

FDA to Amend Standards of Identity to Include Salt Substitutes

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The FDA aims to give food manufacturers the flexibility to reduce sodium content in standardized foods in alignment with the agency’s public health goals.

What’s Ahead for the GRAS Pathway?

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Self-affirmed GRAS determinations made by the food industry are being called into question at federal and state levels, even without health or safety concerns associated with substances that are designated as GRAS.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Sanitation for Low-Moisture, Ready-to-Eat Foods

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This guidance provides the agency’s current thinking on establishing a routine sanitation program for low-moisture, ready-to-eat foods that can help prevent pathogen contamination events and also sets forth recommendations for corrective actions.

Are You Ready for FSMA’s Section 204(d) Food Traceability Rule?

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

FDA’s FSMA Section 204(d) rule requires traceability for critical high-spoilage foods, which have been known to carry foodborne illnesses. If you’re not prepared for the new rule, your competition will be.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Labeling Plant-Based Alternatives to Animal-Derived Foods

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The FDA’s draft guidance includes plant-based alternatives to eggs, seafood, poultry, meat and dairy products (excluding plant-based milk alternatives) that fall under FDA jurisdiction.

FDA Issues Guidance on Lead Action Levels for Processed Baby Food

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

FDA considers the following action levels to be achievable by the food industry when control measures are taken to minimize the presence of lead.

FSIS to Consider Additional Import Inspection Establishment Applications

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

FSIS will consider, on a case-by-case basis, GOIs for official import inspection establishments outside the 50-mile geographic radius of a U.S. land or sea port of entry.

FDA Finalizes Updated 'Healthy' Nutrient Content Claim

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:42:08 -0500

Manufacturers who choose to use the “healthy” claim have three years to conform but can use the new criteria sooner.

FSIS to Consider Additional Import Inspection Establishment Applications

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:36:18 -0500

FSIS will consider, on a case-by-case basis, GOIs for official import inspection establishments outside the 50-mile geographic radius of a U.S. land or sea port of entry.

Guidance for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program Updated

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The FDA is implementing a revised inspection approach, strategically designed to optimize program efficiency by leveraging other oversight activities, which may reduce user fees.

FDA Issues Request for Information on PFAS in Seafood

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:59:55 -0500

This request is part of the FDA's continued work to increase its understanding of the potential for PFAS exposure from seafood and to reduce dietary exposure to PFAS that may pose a health concern.

FDA Partners with Purdue University and Indiana Agricultural Stakeholders on Salmonella Study

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:13:09 -0400

This study is intended to help the FDA and the local growing community better understand the source of pathogens, their persistence, and how they transfer through the growing environment to help inform food safety practices.

FDA Releases Results of Sampling of Retail Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate and Chocolate-Containing Products for Milk Allergen

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The sampling was conducted to better understand the extent to which these products potentially contain unintended milk at levels that may be hazardous to people with milk allergy.

FDA Reminds Facilities to Register or Renew their Food Facility Registration

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

The FDA will consider the registration of a food facility to be expired if a facility’s registration is not renewed by December 31, 2024.

USDA Releases Updated Guideline to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising and Environment-Related Claims on Meat and Poultry Labels

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:35:55 -0400

In the updated guideline, FSIS strongly encourages the use of third-party certification to substantiate animal-raising or environment-related claims.

FDA Investigating Salmonella Outbreak Involving Cucumbers

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 09:58:16 -0400

Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Thomas Produce Company, of Boca Raton, Fla., are the likely sources of this outbreak, however these growers do not account for all the illnesses in the outbreak.