The objective of this descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative basis was to identify MERCOSUR resolutions on pesticide residues in food issued between 1991 and 2022, analyzing the regional harmoni- zation processes of these milestones and their incorporation into the regulatory framework of MERCOSUR founding Member States (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The analysis identified important points for the regulation and monitoring of pesticide residues in food in MERCOSUR, such as the synonyms used in the definition of pesticides and the scope of the regulatory system in each country, the marked differences in the scope of the main national regulatory frameworks, the unequal incorporation of international and regional regulations by the Member States and the challenges for harmonizing legislation on pesticide residues in food within MERCOSUR. In addition to the limited advances observed in the attempt to harmonize the relevant legislation within the bloc, there is a need to advance, nationally and regionally, in the processes to regulate pesticide residues in food, so as to ensure the quality of the products and services provided to the population and also to strengthen safer agro/food trade that relies on processes that are less harmful to the environment.
Day: 15/04/2023
USA – FDA Amends Standard of Identity for Yogurt
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a final order to modify the yogurt standard of identity final rule, published on June 9, 2021. The FDA is denying the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) request for a public hearing and is issuing a final order to modify the final rule with respect to maximum pH. The FDA is amending the yogurt standard acidity requirement to require products to have a pH of 4.6 or lower. This will ensure the safety of yogurt, while maintaining its basic nature and essential characteristics. The final rule is effective on April 14, 2023, and the compliance date is January 1, 2024. Additional details can be found in the Federal Register notice.
USA – Dietary Supplement Ingredient Directory
Two types of ingredients may be used in dietary supplements – “dietary ingredients” and “other ingredients.” The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines a dietary ingredient as a vitamin; mineral; herb or other botanical; amino acid; dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake; or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any dietary ingredient from the preceding categories.
Dietary supplements include such ingredients as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes, and are typically marketed in forms such as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, powders, and liquids. Dietary supplements may also include other ingredients, such as fillers, binders, excipients, preservatives, sweeteners, and flavorings. These “other ingredients” are listed separately from dietary ingredients on the Supplement Facts label.
USA – More organizations call for FDA to develop mandatory front-of-package nutrition labeling
Momentum for mandatory front-of-package nutrition labeling continues to grow as new organizations are joining the effort to encourage the Food and Drug Administration to develop labels that would call attention to high levels of added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat in packaged, processed foods. And a new poll commissioned by CSPI finds strong public support for the proposal.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Public Health Association, Consumer Federation of America, and Consumer Reports are among 17 organizations that have filed a supportive comment with the FDA, which opened a regulatory docket in response to an August 2022 petition filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Association of State SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators, and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists.
USA – Register for the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Second Meeting on May 10
The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) will host the second full meeting of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on May 10, 2023. The meeting will be livestreamed for public viewing. Members of the public who wish to view the meeting may register on DietaryGuidelines.gov.
The departments encourage public participation in the committee’s process and opened a public comment period in January. A public comment portal will remain open throughout the committee’s deliberations and comments may be submitted online.
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