Stephanie Simms Hodges, MS, MPH, RDN’s Post

Yesterday, the USDA and FDA announced a joint Request for Information (RFI) about food date labeling—seeking information on industry practices and preferences for date labeling, research results on consumer perceptions of date labeling, and any impact date labeling may have on food waste and grocery costs. The information collected from the RFI may be used to inform future policy decisions, guidance, or consumer education campaigns on food date labels intended to help reduce the premature discard of wholesome and safe food. Learn more in the press release: https://lnkd.in/gZEgG4FS #FoodDateLabels #FoodWaste #Policy #RequestForInformation

I just realized that a family the size of mine (7 people) will on average waste $2,625 on uneaten food due to confusion on food labeling per year!! Uffda... The FDA and USDA released a Request for Information (RFI) to examine food date labeling practices, such as "Sell By," "Use By," and "Best By," and their impact on consumer behavior, food waste, and grocery costs. Let's clear the confusion for all and get to a much needed standard methodology! #foodlabeling #erpsoftware #foodandbeverageindustry #fda #usda #foodwaste

Thanks for this thoughtful post, John Henry Wells. With the January 2026 date for #FSMA compliance looming, these are the exact questions the food industry needs to be asking. On one hand, there is no shortcutting the legislation; each of those 324k business has to have a Traceability Plan and must be able to deliver a traceability report in the form of a sortable spreadsheet within 24 hours of an FDA request. However, this does not have to be an overwhelming undertaking, even for small business like the processors you highlight. It will require the adoption and deployment of some infrastructure and operational processes, but the real key to managing the complexity of data exchange with multiple trading partners is to use standards like GS1 #epcis 2.0. If we can agree to use a supply chain ‘lingua franca’ like EPCIS, sharing of traceability data becomes frictionless. The worst thing at this stage would be to kick the can down the road and hope for an FDA grace period; there are just too many incidents of food-borne illnesses to expect the FDA to relax enforcement.

44% of consumers in 2023 reported checking food product labels. This is up from 35% in 2020, according to Ingredion’s ATLAS study. As health-conscious consumers are on the rise, government agencies are following suit. Across the pond, the FSA and EFSA (the U.K. and European counterparts of the FDA) passed laws mandating companies to display a clear warning that food coloring might have “an adverse effect on the activity and attention of children.” U.S.-based multinational companies had to begin producing dye-free versions of their products for European markets as early as 2004, and some U.S. states are taking it a step further: • California banned food additives in Assembly Bill 418 (AB 418), known as The California Food and Safety Act, which will take effect in 2027. • Legislation is also being discussed in New York that seeks to ban similar food additives. New York’s ban on food additives would take effect immediately, applying pressure on food manufacturers to swap synthetic additives for natural alternatives. What does this mean for the CPG industry? These legislative shifts are creating space for innovations in the natural food industry. Jeremy Adams, Founder and CEO of KinderFarms, is a testament to this. He developed Kinderlyte as an alternative to artificially colored oral electrolyte solutions. KinderFarms has now claimed a stake in the market for better-for-you children’s products. The takeaway: When policies and preferences change, innovation spikes. There are endless opportunities in the CPG space for new companies to emerge. – Read on to learn how the CPG landscape is changing for the better: https://lnkd.in/eKZsWDw6

USDA, FDA Looking at Clarification of Food Labeling The Food and Drug Administration and the USDA announced a joint request for information about food date labeling, which includes the use of terms like “Sell By,” “Use By,” and “Best By.” The information request asks for data on industry practices and preferences for date labeling, research results on consumer perceptions of date labeling and any impact date labeling may have on food waste and grocery costs. “Confusion over a multitude of different date labeling terms on food products accounts for about 20% of food waste in the home,” says FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones. “We look forward to gathering information to determine how date labeling can make it easier for consumers to know whether a food is still good to eat and avoid food waste.” Both agencies currently recommend that food industry members voluntarily apply the “Best if Used By” quality-based food date label.

[Blog]💭 Are you aware of the proposed ban on five food additives? As the importance of understanding and complying with intricate food additive regulations grows, Mérieux NutriSciences stands ready to assist you. Our team of experts ensures that your products adhere to stringent safety standards, ultimately bolstering consumer confidence. Read our latest blog to see how we can help guide food additive compliance. #additives #expertpartners #foodcompliance #foodsafety

A recent report covered by FoodNavigator reveals the alarming presence of PFAS in food supply chains. These chemicals have been found in packaging, food processing equipment, and the food itself. The findings highlight the urgent need for regulatory action to limit PFAS exposure and ensure food safety. https://lnkd.in/gQ2wv8-c

Hey all! 🌟 As part of the Conference for Food Protection's Cut Plant Foods TCS Committee, we're conducting a quick 5-minute survey to determine if any raw cut plant foods should be added to the FDA Food Code definition of Time/Temp Control for food safety while understanding what other aspects the food and retail industry is engaging in. 🍎🥦 If you're in the industry, regulator, or academia, your input is crucial! 📝 Fill out the survey specific to your CFP group: 🌿 Industry – https://lnkd.in/gmYry4t5 📑 Regulator – https://lnkd.in/gcqapWfJ 📚 Academia – https://lnkd.in/ghxt2j6W Let's work together to shape the future of food safety! 🌍 Submit your responses by Monday, October 14, 2025. 🗓️ #FoodSafety #IndustryImpact #RegulatoryChanges #FoodCode

FDA looks to check up on food chemicals, but where’s the money? State bans and consumer uproar have pressured the FDA to review the safety of numerous chemicals already in the food supply. The agency now has a plan to step up oversight but warns it lacks the resources to carry it out. It’s time to remove harmful food additives from our food system. The FDA has finally acknowledged the need to review dangerous chemicals in our food supply, but they claim there’s not enough money to act. Meanwhile, states and consumers are sounding the alarm, demanding safer food. Our health can’t wait for funding to catch up. The food industry is too important to be left unchecked. We deserve transparency and food that nourishes, not harms. Let's push for meaningful change—our food system and health depend on it. #sustainability #foodsystems #foodadditives #healthandwellness #healthandwellbeing #FoodSafety #CleanFood #HealthMatters #BanHarmfulAdditives https://lnkd.in/e5jCFcpd

The FAO and World Health Organization recently released a joint statement outlining their vision of #healthydiets, centered on four key themes: adequacy, moderation, diversity, and balance. In the ‘moderation’ theme, the discussion on ultra-processed foods (#UPF) and the NOVA classification (#NOVA) raises important issues. The NOVA system, which categorizes foods by their level of processing, has drawn criticism for combining nutrient-dense and less nutritious foods in the same group and casting doubt on the safety of additives commonly used in processed foods. By suggesting that ingredients not typically found in home kitchens signal a potentially unsafe product, NOVA implies that food additives and industrial ingredients are inherently unhealthy, which may influence consumer perception and trust. This perspective brings JECFA’s role into question, as JECFA, under WHO’s guidance, is responsible for evaluating and approving food additives for safety. If WHO signals concern over food additive safety, it appears to conflict with JECFA’s assessments, potentially undermining its credibility as a food safety authority. This internal inconsistency could impact regulatory practices and public health messaging, creating confusion for consumers about what is genuinely safe to eat. To address these issues, more transparent guidelines that clarify the health impacts of various processing methods and additives, NOVA reforms, based on current scientific evidence, may be essential to align WHO’s policies and maintain public trust. Publication at: https://lnkd.in/gsqgirmF