Food & Beverage Trends – August 22, 2025
Key Takeaways from teh Food & Agriculture News (May 30, 2025)
Here’s a breakdown of the key news items, categorized for clarity:
1. Food Safety & Regulation:
Refined Carbohydrates Under Scrutiny: Dr. David Kessler is petitioning the FDA to revoke the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) status of refined carbohydrates in ultra-processed foods, citing links to health problems. He proposes a multi-step process including requiring industry notification and potential removal of non-compliant products.
Cell-Cultured Meat Progress: Believer Meats received a “no questions” letter from the FDA for its cultured chicken, marking the fifth cell-cultured animal product to receive this approval. This allows them to sell the ingredient without further additive approvals. Wildtype also received approval for cell-cultured salmon.
Natural Food Colors Approved: The FDA confirmed the june 26, 2025 effective date for the use of three natural food dyes: galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract.
Allergen Thresholds Meeting: The FDA will host a virtual public meeting in November to discuss food allergen thresholds and improve food safety/labeling.
Screwworm Outbreak Response: USDA and FDA are taking action to prevent the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) into the US, including sterile fly release, border monitoring, and potential Emergency Use Authorizations for animal drugs.
2. Trade & Policy:
Lindberg Confirmed at USDA: Luke Lindberg has been confirmed as the USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. SNAP Waiver Requests: tennessee has requested a SNAP waiver to restrict the purchase of sugary foods and drinks. 12 states already have approved waivers with varying restrictions.South Carolina, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania are considering similar requests.
US Spirit & Wine Exports to Canada Plummet: Exports of US distilled spirits and wine to Canada