Ingredients

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This article examines the food safety aspects of precision fermentation-derived dairy ingredients and formulations.

Posted to the Unified Agenda in September, FDA’s developing proposed rule to tighten Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) oversight has been sent to the White House for review—the final step before publication.

As part of the EU authorization procedure for a new food additive application, EFSA conducted a risk assessment for jagua (genipin-glycine) blue, which concluded no safety concern and established an acceptable daily intake (ADI). The fruit-derived food dye is already permitted in the U.S.

The global trend toward natural and functional foods has fueled the popularity of edible flowers. To investigate the associated food safety risks, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review, and identified pyrrolizidine and tropane alkaloids as a significant concern.

On December 10, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) webinar, titled, Formulating Functional Foods: What Works, What Doesn’t” will explore regulatory and scientific considerations when developing functional food products.

In the U.S., as part of the appropriations bill ending the government shutdown, Congress closed the 2018 Farm Bill loophole allowing the sale of hemp-derived THC products, such as edibles and beverages. At the same time, in the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set a safe intake level for Delta-8 THC in food. 

Food industry representatives and consumer advocacy groups have shared their comments, which are varied in opinion, submitted in response to FDA and USDA’s joint request for information to support a federal definition for ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Following the formation of a food industry-backed lobbyist group with the goal of stopping state-level food additives restrictions, 84 consumer protection and public health organizations have signed a letter urging Congress to oppose such efforts.

Americans for Ingredient Transparency (AFIT) is campaigning for federal action to “correct a maze of state-by-state-laws” that restrict or prohibit the use of colorants, additives, and ingredients in foods. AFIT is backed by many of the largest food industry associations and companies, some of which have made voluntary commitments to phase out food dyes or other additives.

The International Association of Color Manufacturers has filed a lawsuit against the recently enacted West Virginia House Bill 2354, which prohibits foods containing certain artificial colorants and additives from being sold in the state, arguing that it is unconstitutional and unlawful.