The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to revoke the authorization for the use of brominated vegetable oil in food due to safety concerns, particularly to prevent the separation of citrus flavor, which can be used in small quantities. The FDA further extended this ban based on risk assessment, scientific evidence, and regulatory authority. This decision from the FDA comes after California’s recent ban on brominated vegetable oil and three other food additives.

Colombia has initiated a public health measure applying a 10% starting tax on ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages. The graduated tax will commence at 10% and increase to 15% in 2024, ultimately reaching 20% in 2025, with variable taxes depending on the sugar content of the beverages. Experts consider this measure as the most comprehensive initiative in Latin America to combat rising obesity.

During a recent meeting organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, scientists compared hepatitis A and E viruses to norovirus in terms of clinical severity and found them to be similar but ranking higher. In response to a request from the Food Hygiene Codex Committee for 2022, a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) related to viruses in food took place in Rome, Italy, in September. The focus was on food association, analytical methods, and indicators. A summary of the findings has been published, and the full report will be presented later.

The California Food Safety Law will put an end to the use of four food additives in food and beverages, namely brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red Dye No. 3, which have been associated with health issues such as hyperactivity, nervous system damage, and an increased risk of cancer. The law will come into effect in 2027.

The European Commission announced that it has set new reduced limits for the food additives nitrite and nitrates.

The European Commission has reported granting authorization for three genetically modified maize varieties for use as food and animal feed, while also indicating that another species’ authorization has been renewed, stating that it is not suitable for agricultural purposes.

The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has published revised versions of guidelines for the implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and an Excel format notification template for facilities. CBAM is a landmark tool for setting a fair price on the carbon emissions produced during the manufacturing of carbon-intensive goods entering the EU and for promoting cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.