The health benefits, environmental advantages, and affordability of beans have positioned them to play a role in various proposed solutions to global crises, including climate change, biological diversity, malnutrition, and the cost of living. The article “Legume Dreams,” authored by George Cusworth and colleagues, reviews the emergence of beans in different visions of a sustainable future.

TABLE is excited to announce the initiation of a video collaboration with BBC Ideas, emphasizing how beans can contribute to addressing interconnected issues. The video, selected as one of four from 80 submissions in response to a BBC Ideas call to Oxford University’s Social Sciences Department, explores how beans can offer solutions to our interconnected challenges.

Established by the FDA in 2011, the CORE Network focuses on identifying, preventing, and intervening in foodborne disease outbreaks. The annual report for the year 2022 underscores the FDA’s commitment to safeguarding public health related to human food, highlighting its research, collaborations with healthcare institutions, and various public health actions such as recalls and recommendations.

Thefoodpeople has released an e-book detailing the 17-year status of the food and beverage sector. This book provides a clear roadmap of how the food and beverage industry has evolved over the years. While the entire book is paid, you can access a free 9-page brief summary.

An examination of the 40-year EU-funded soil research conducted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) serves as an example of the EU’s commitment to overall soil health and sustainable soil management.

The Animal Health and Welfare Risk Assessment Scientific Network aims to establish a common understanding of risk assessment principles in the realms of animal health and welfare, with the objective of enhancing practices related to risk assessment in these domains. The network conducts annual meetings dedicated to discussions on all pertinent and engaging topics relevant to member organizations, fostering an exchange of ideas concerning matters pertaining to animal health. This report encapsulates the proceedings of the meeting held in 2023, summarizing not only the contributions from network members and observers but also highlighting EFSA’s contributions during the event.

The EU’s agricultural-food trade surplus reached 6.7 billion Euros in September 2023. This indicates an 18% increase compared to both August 2023 and September 2022. The cumulative trade balance between January and September 2023 reached 51 billion Euros, marking an increase of 8.5 billion Euros compared to the same period in 2022.