As expected, the FDA is (at a very measured pace) closing the door on trans fats. Our understanding of the role of fats and oils in the diet has advanced considerably since the simplistic 1980s and 1990s focus on reducing dietary fats altogether (Nabisco’s Snackswells brand is usually cited in this context). That made sense to a degree because fats are higher-calorie than protein or carbs, and because saturated and especially trans fats aren’t healthy. But that doesn’t mean that anyone ever go...
November 7, 2013To help prevent food-borne illness in pets and the owners who handle pet foods, the FDA is proposing new regulation of the production of animal food. The Proposed Rule comes in the wake of the melamine-related pet food recalls of 2007 and, since that date, of a growing number of illnesses and pet deaths that may be associated with jerky pet treats, mostly involving imports from China. The Proposed Rule, which has a comment period that ends February 26, 2014, follows upon the Food Safety and Mode...
October 29, 2013The FDA’s ruling on the use of “gluten-free” labeling is a triumph for consumers who suffer from Celiac disease, wheat allergies, or other grain-based food intolerances. When the regulation goes into effect a year from now, consumers who follow a gluten-free lifestyle out of necessity or choice will be able to shop for groceries with more confidence. The FDA’s final rule is setting a gluten limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) in foods that carry this label. The FDA explains that is the...
August 15, 2013