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
FDA Holds First Hearing on Cannabis Products
For a natural remedy meant to ease anxiety, the CBD market has become a place of confusion — not calm. On Friday, the FDA held its first hearing on cannabis products, including CBD food and drink products.
Food Safety Update: FDA Announces New Initiatives, EPA Deems Glyphosate Safe
Governmental agencies made several new announcements this week that could impact how brands and suppliers approach food safety.
FDA Allows Allulose to be Excluded from Total and Added Sugars
The FDA issued new draft guidance last week for allulose, stating it intends to allow manufacturers to exclude the low-calorie sweetener from total and added sugars on Nutrition Facts labels, marking the first time a sweetener will be exempt from the total or added sugars list.
Post Qualified Health Claim Status, Allergen Introduction Market Sees Growth
Brands’ — such as Puffworks — efforts to prevent peanut allergies have inspired other brands to develop products that offer the early introduction of other allergens.
FDA to Consumers: How Would You Define Dairy?
The FDA today announced it has issued a request for information (RFI) in the Federal Register to solicit comments and feedback from the public to gain more insight into how consumers use plant-based alternatives and how they understand terms like “milk” or “cheese” when used to label plant-based products.
Peatos CEO: Cheetos Trademark Claim Won’t Stop Brand Success
PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, which makes Cheetos, accused World Peas Brand’s Peatos of trademark infringement. PepsiCo alleges that Peatos’ name and paw-print logo are “confusingly similar” to Cheetos and that Peato’s slogan, “tigers live longer than cheetahs,” unfairly denigrates the Cheetos brand.
Regulatory Update: California to Block CBD Sales; FDA Tackles Alt-Dairy
In California, a revised FAW issued by the state Department of Public Health effectively prohibits the sale of hemp-derived CBD products, while the debate over defining an identity for the plant-based dairy category moves forward.
Industry Responds: RXBAR Sued for Allegedly Misleading Consumers with Clean Label
The lawsuit claims the brand misleads consumers with its front-of-pack design, and now the suit is driving many industry leaders to question what are the most effective ways to deploy clean label marketing strategies.
FDA Amends Fiber Labeling Restrictions
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it has expanded its list of approved dietary fibers that can be listed on the updated Nutrition Facts panel.
A Breakdown of the USDA’s GMO Labeling Proposal
Don’t worry; the NOSH team read the more than 100-page document so you don’t have to. Here are the main takeaways.