As of June 25, 2024, Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1821, amending Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Directive 2002/46/EC Annex II, has added iron milk caseinate as an approved form of iron in foods and food supplements across the European Union. Authorized as a novel food under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/949, iron milk caseinate will now be listed among other permitted substances.

The National Agricultural Library (NAL), under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is one of the world’s largest agricultural libraries. It houses a wide range of resources including digital and print materials, databases, research projects, and scientific publications in agriculture and related sciences. The library provides accessible resources for researchers, scientists, educators, and the public, playing a crucial role in advancing knowledge in agriculture and food security. You can visit and explore its resources through the link below.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has released new guidelines to ensure that environmental claims in advertisements for meat, dairy, and plant-based foods meet legal standards. This follows a trend where meat producers use images of natural environments and pastures to convey high animal welfare standards to consumers. ASA warns against such misleading “green” or “natural” imagery, advising advertisers to accurately reflect farming practices. Claims such as “organic” or “regenerative farming” must be substantiated with evidence to avoid misleading consumers. Additionally, claims promoting environmental benefits, like being “good for the planet,” must also be supported by evidence.

For the first time in the European Union, a regulatory application for cultured meat has been submitted. This significant step means that such food will now be reviewed under the EU’s comprehensive food safety framework. The application was submitted by the French company GOURMEY for cultivated foie gras. The company has also applied for regulatory approval in Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a call on ashwagandha in food supplements, open until September 2, 2024. This call, aimed at stakeholders including food business operators, experts, and consumer groups, seeks to gather information on safety assessments, product formulations, and market data.

Following Portugal, Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida announced at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels that Italy would withdraw from the Nutriscore labeling system. The Italian system, opposing Nutriscore, hailed this decision as a victory for products like Parmesan cheese and olive oil.

According to EFSA’s latest assessment, climate change is expected to lead to an increase in Vibrio bacteria in seafood from low-salinity or brackish waters. Notably, resistance to last-resort antibiotics is rising among certain Vibrio species.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has announced the approval of various projects from 28 countries to receive $70 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). These projects address issues such as urban sustainability, groundwater management, biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation. They are expected to play a significant role in combating environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.

The FDA has updated its advisory for the investigation of Salmonella illnesses linked to cucumbers. In collaboration with the CDC, state, and local partners, the FDA is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup infections involving 449 illnesses across 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Essex University is set to open an AI-powered research facility aimed at developing climate-resilient plants. The Smart Technology Experimental Plant Suite (STEPS) laboratory is equipped with vertical farming and robotic systems, aiming to develop crops that can adapt to future atmospheric conditions.