The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be extending the comment period for its preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), a major source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food. The determination was originally published in the Federal Register on Nov. 8 and given a Jan. 7, 2014, deadline for comments. In response to stakeholder requests for additional comment time, FDA has extended the deadline until March 8. Removing GRAS status from PHOs would mean they would be considered food additives and could not be used in food unless authorized by regulation. Consumption of trans fat can increase the risk of coronary heart disease by raising low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol,” and the Institute of Medicine has concluded that there is no safe level of consumption of trans fat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, removing PHOs from processed foods could prevent up to 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 coronary deaths each year.
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The government in the United Kingdom has been urged to follow the European Union’s lead and curb Brazilian meat imports.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) called on the UK
Four men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into illegal meat in England.
An operation by Dudley Council and the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) resulted in the
A bill introduced in recent days in the U.S. Senate would overhaul food labels for the first time in more than 30 years.
The bill, the Food Labeling Modernization
The Food and Drug Administration uses import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed.
Recent
Coaticook brand white cheddar cheeses are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
There are 33 products covered by the recall. The products were distributed in Quebec.
Highline brand organic mini Bella sliced mushrooms are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall was triggered by test results from the Canadian Food Inspection
Reports of food poisoning linked to a food truck are being investigated at a music festival in England.
Several people said on social media that they fell ill after eating
