Regulatory

The USDA announced plans to revise the guidelines for animal-raising claims providing more consumer transparency and oversight for label callouts like “grass fed,” “pasture raised,” “hormone-free” or “antibiotic-free.”

The USDA’s purview is regulating agricultural products and livestock that become food, but its reach in the industry stretches into other areas of health, nutrition, food access and safety. Here is a brief explainer about some of the current administration’s priorities pertaining to CPG food.

Beyond Meat was issued a class action lawsuit by institutional shareholders alleging that the plant-based meat company’s executives knowingly misled its investors about the strength of the company’s manufacturing and foodservice partnerships while, in the process, profiting on the inflated share price.

A bipartisan bill in Congress will offer SNAP recipients access to frozen produce, Motif FoodWorks is launching a foodservice portfolio of its plant-based meat products and NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ private equity firm RX3 Growth Partners announces a $150M fund II.

Last week, ingredient company Sweegen received GRAS status for its new Ultratia line of brazzein sweeteners that claim to be 500 to 2000 times sweeter than regular sugar, marking another step forward in the race to create the next generation of better-for-you sugar alternatives.

Gourmend Foods is suing the USDA and FDA over the use of proven, low-FODMAP labeling claims on beef bone broth packages saying “the government does not get to decide which facts consumers are allowed to learn.”

UNFI is facing legal action from shareholders after allegedly providing false and misleading financial information following the roll out of its Value Path cost savings initiative, launched in the wake of pandemic-induced supply chain volatility.

The FDA proposed a new rule Friday allowing food makers to use salt substitutes in place of salt in an effort to reduce sodium intake from various processed and prepared foods. The move allows brands greater flexibility in ingredient choice used for flavor enhancement and preservation.

GOOD Meat Inc. has received the go-ahead from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin producing its cell-cultivated chicken product stateside.

On Tuesday, the FDA announced its progress on restructuring the Human Foods Program consolidating food safety enforcement under one leadership role and streamlining operations internally and in the field.