Regulatory
Stay informed on the latest natural food industry regulatory updates involving the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or United States Department of Agriculture(USDA), as well as news regarding lawsuits, labeling and class-actions. Understand the evolving natural food regulatory and legal environment which can directly impact your product claims, intellectual property, packaging and ingredients.
Featured Regulatory Content
White House Issues Executive Order to Reschedule Cannabis
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Thursday directing the U.S. Attorney General to move cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substance, marking a watershed moment in the history of U.S. marijuana policy and a significant step forward for the nascent THC-infused beverage industry.
USDA Launches $700M Regenerative Pilot Program
The USDA this week unveiled the Regenerative Pilot Program, an initiative to put $700 million toward assisting American farmers in the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices.
San Francisco To Sue Ultraprocessed Food Makers
San Francisco just declared war on America’s snack aisle, filing the nation’s first government lawsuit today against the largest manufacturers of ultraprocessed foods. City Attorney David Chiu claims local governments are footing the bill for chronic diseases linked to the companies’ products
Additional Content
Report: FDA’s Human Foods Program Lacks Vision, Leadership
A Reagan-Udall Foundation report released Tuesday said that the FDA’s Human Foods Program “requires adequate resources, sufficient authority, and a structure and culture that breeds success” to accomplish its goal of creating a safer food system.
Motif Files Four Petitions Against Impossible Heme Patents
Motif FoodWorks announced today it has filed four petitions with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to challenge aspects of Impossible Foods’ claim to heme-protein ingredients used in plant-based meat.
FDA Sends Warning Letters to CBD Food and Beverage Companies
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appears to be cracking down on CBD food and beverage brands as the federal agency sent warning letters last week to five companies selling infused products. In a statement published online yesterday, the agency said letters were sent to Mood33 manufacturer 11-11-11 Brands; candy and coffee maker Naturally… Read more »
FDA Green-lights Upside Foods’ Cultivated Chicken
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed cultivated proteins safe for consumption, according to an announcement from cellular agriculture company Upside Foods today.
FDA Unveils Food Traceability Final Rule, Disadvantaging Small Food Makers
The FDA’s Food Traceability Final Rule published on Tuesday is meant to streamline oversight of contaminated food products but could put smaller food makers at a disadvantage due to the complexity of the mandate.
COP27: Climate Change Fight Turns Focus To Food
Transitioning to regenerative agriculture, utilizing upcycled food streams, adopting plant-based lifestyles and, of course, reducing carbon footprints, are set to play key roles in current global conversations around climate change.
Albertsons Dividend Payment Restrained Amid State AGs Litigation
Albertsons is working to overturn a temporary restraining order (TRO) “as quickly as possible,” in order to unshackle its ability to divvy up $4 million in special cash dividend payments to shareholders, previously set to be paid on Monday, November 7.
Beyond Meat v. Don Lee: All Claims Dismissed As Settlement Reached
Five years since Don Lee Farms first sued Beyond Meat, four months since it alleged “something is really wrong” at the alt-meat brand, and three days into the trial proceedings, the plant-based meat brand and its former co-manufacturer have reached a settlement.
Legal Roundup: KIND Cleared in ‘All-Natural’ Class Action; Kashi Sued For Pear-Filled Strawberry Bars
In this roundup: KIND is cleared in ‘All-Natural” class action suit, Kashi sued for misleading consumers with pear-filled, strawberry-flavored bars, Kellogg’s served for not putting enough whole grains in crackers and Sabra sued to remove its Kosher mark.
Caliper Holdings COO Steps Down, Company Moves Into Licensing
Caliper Holdings co-founder Jeremy Goldstein is stepping down as COO as the company moves into licensing agreement-based business model.