Local authorities have been managing high volumes of overdue inspections accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some workforce growth, backlog issues persisted in 2024.
The new definitions are designed to remove ambiguity and improve clarity and predictability while continuing to protect public health and safety, but some food industry sectors oppose the decision.
Product enables instant measurement of moisture levels and is particularly valuable for manufacturers in the food and snack industries, where precise moisture control is critical for maintaining optimal taste, appearance, consistency, stability, and shelf life.
Members raised four new specific trade concerns (STCs) regarding: coffee bean imports into China; Thailand's regulation to mitigate aflatoxins in peanut kernels; a ban on imports of aquaculture shrimp in Thailand; and Viet Nam's procedure for the listing of exporting establishments.
A wave of similar announcements has come from companies such as General Mills and The Kraft Heinz Company as the Trump Administration prioritizes phasing out synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply and scrutinizes food additives generally.
The executive summary includes global risk characterizations for parasite-food commodity combinations for Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Giardia, Toxoplasma gondii, and other foodborne protozoan parasites.
