FDA, USDA Evaluate Food-Labeling Burnout

The FDA and USDA are taking steps to understand how consumers interpret common food date labeling terms such as “Sell By” and “Use By” to understand whether it is leading to confusion.

Farm Bill Extension: Crisis Averted, but for How Long?

Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a stopgap spending measure that prolongs the U.S. farm bill for another year. Experts warn that failing to modernize the farm bill within the next year could exacerbate food price volatility.

AI Beyond the Buzz: 3 Invaluable Food Industry Applications

Coca-Cola’s AI-generated holiday ads sparked backlash for prioritizing spectacle over substance, highlighting a key lesson for food industry players: AI must deliver real-world value to resonate.

How Will FSMA 204 Impact Your Food Business?

The Food Institute hosted a presentation on the Food Traceability Rule featuring Christopher Waldrop, a Senior Health Scientist with FDA.

Avian Influenza Continues to Spread Across America

HPAI is spreading across dairy farms and, at last report, was present in 143 herds, with 53 new herd infections over the past month.

Analysis: Why the FDA Banned Brominated Vegetable Oil in Beverages

The FDA issued a significant ruling for beverage manufacturers, saying brominated vegetable oil is no longer considered safe.

HPAI in the Dairy Industry and Implications for Human Health

Recent updates from the FDA indicate that ongoing national testing of retail dairy products demonstrates the efficacy of the pasteurization process in inactivating the HPAI virus.

H5N1 Avian Flu Hits Dairy Herds

The recent spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain (H5N1) to dairy cows in the United States has raised concerns about the potential impact on the dairy and beef industries. While the U.S. …

Novel Proteins Earn Landmark Regulatory Backing

The approvals signal a potential disruption to traditional animal- and plant-based ingredients that have long dominated consumer packaged goods (CPG).

Debate Surrounding California’s Food Additive Ban Heats Up

Debate surrounding California’s impending food additive ban is heating up as state-level copycat proposals rise across the U.S. Last month, the National Confectioners Association spoke out against the ban, calling it “an emotionally-driven campaign that lacks scientific backing.”

From Panic to Plate: How Xolair is Changing the Menu for Allergy Sufferers

The treatment represents an impressive scientific achievement, however, borne from human perseverance to solve major quality-of-life issues. Xolair transcends mere new medical knowledge—it’s a step towards allowing food allergy sufferers to live more freely.

Pass the Chips: Microchips Aid Fight Against Food Counterfeiting

Food counterfeiting has become a billion-dollar concern for entities that oversee the production of delicacies like Italian cheese. Innovative technology could offer a solution.

What Do Americans Think ‘Natural’ Foods Are?

When a food says “natural” on it, 51% of U.S. adults assume the product is made entirely of whole ingredients and 49% believe there are no preservatives.

Four “Toxic” Food Additives that Increase Appetite

Across the U.S., the number of households purchasing products that contain potentially harmful food additives appears to be on the rise. Between 2001 and 2019, the proportion of purchased food products that contained additives increased …

Food Fraud Awareness Increasing

Whether it be supplements spouting unproven health benefits, or products to which harmful substances have been added, food fraud is a growing problem globally. Fortunately, experts say food companies can take careful steps to avoid the issue.

FDA Issues First Approval for Cell-Cultured Chicken

Cultivated meat producer Upside Foods received regulatory approval from the FDA, making it the first company to reach this milestone in the U.S. While not a green light for the industry at large, the decision opens the door to more approvals

Experts: Food Labeling on Verge of Big Changes

Worldwide organic food sales are now more than six times larger than they were in 1999, according to Statista. And food brands have taken note.

Industry CEO: Baby Formula Shortage Illustrates ‘Broken System’

Abbott Laboratories, which stopped the production of Elecare powdered specialty baby formula after its southwest Michigan facility was flooded recently, said it had enough formula supply on hand to meet current needs. Heavy rains and …

Food Companies Creating Sophisticated Traceability Tech

A recent addition to the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), poised to go into effect in 2023 to minimize the scope and duration of food recalls, requires such complex technology that food industry businesses …

Industry Report: Natural Food Colors On The Rise

As consumers grow more conscious about their health, preference for organic and natural food will increase at a robust pace. On the flip side, focus on health and wellness has caused sales of synthetic food …

State of CBD Industry in the Food & Beverage Sector

CBD continues to be a bright light in the food and beverage industry. However, growth has leveled off from its stellar 2019 gains on a combination of the FDA’s reluctance to approve its usage and …

Gene Editing for Hogs Just Around the Corner

At least five other nations are moving toward gene editing hogs, which could put them miles ahead of the U.S. in producing disease-resistant and faster-growing hogs that cost less to grow, the National Pork Producers …

FI Small Bites: AI Webinar Recap

Missed our AI/Automation Webinar? Check out the best tidbits in this latest Small Bites Check us out on YouTube! Check out the rest of our videos! FI Small Bites: Need some news, fast? Check out …

FI Small Bites: Eating With Your…Eyes?

A recent study showed the surprising ways people are impacted by the sight of food. Check us out on YouTube! Check out the rest of our videos! FI Small Bites: Need some news, fast? Check …

FI Small Bites: FDA recognizes sesame allergy

In a step forward for those with severe sesame allergies, FDA recently released guidance on more carefully labeling products that contain sesame.   Check us out on YouTube! Check out the rest of our videos! …

FI Small Bites: Looking To Start A Ghost Kitchen?

Kitchen Real Estate Guru Mott Smith shares his advice for Ghost Kitchen success.   Check us out on YouTube! Check out the rest of our videos! FI Small Bites: Need some news, fast? Check out …

FDA Takes Steps in Improving Food Traceability

FDA proposed a new rule that lays the foundation for end-to-end traceability across the food industry. The proposed rule would create a first-of-its-kind standardized approach to traceability recordkeeping, paving the way for industry to adopt …

On the Frontier of a New Era of Smarter Food Safety

Angela Fernandez, VP of Community Engagement at GS1 US, spoke with the Food Institute Podcast after FDA unveiled the Blueprint for a New Era of Smarter Food Safety. Leveraging her experience with GS1 US, best …

Federal Standard for Olive Oil Needed to Mitigate Consumer Confusion

Research shows that olive oil is recognized as the healthiest cooking oil by most Americans. Its health benefits have been a driving factor in U.S. olive oil consumption, which currently ranks second in the world after …

FDA Seeks Scientific Data on CBD

The Food Institute Focus – FDA Seeks Scientific Data on CBD