Regulation

As we look into the Nosh crystal ball and attempt to make sense of what to expect in 2024, we called up a few regulatory experts to run through what they are watching this year.

Institute for Justice Senior Attorney Justin Pearson joins the NOSH Podcast this week to talk about how and when the First Amendment and the Constitution protects brands against food labeling regulations.

The USDA announced plans to revise the guidelines for animal-raising claims providing more consumer transparency and oversight for label callouts like “grass fed,” “pasture raised,” “hormone-free” or “antibiotic-free.”

Last week, ingredient company Sweegen received GRAS status for its new Ultratia line of brazzein sweeteners that claim to be 500 to 2000 times sweeter than regular sugar, marking another step forward in the race to create the next generation of better-for-you sugar alternatives.

Last week, plant-based cheese and butter maker Miyoko’s Creamery emerged victorious in what could be a landmark legal case for dairy and meat alternative CPG brands. Citing the company’s first amendment rights, a California judge ruled the company can continue to use terms such as “butter,” “lactose-free” and “cruelty-free.” However, while the case could provide plant-based brands with some much needed legal precedent to defend the practice of using meat and dairy terms on their labels, the fight ahead is anything but cut and dried.

The nonprofit trade organization has submitted a proposal to create an updated definition and a set of “harmonized” international guidelines for the use of probiotics in foods and dietary supplements.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is looking to equivalency trade arrangements as a way to increase more organic options on shelves. During a Natural Products Expo West event last week in Anaheim, Calif. Monique Marez, the OTA’s director of international trade, said it is just a question of standards.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services released their final draft of the nation’s federal dietary guidelines yesterday. Since then numerous industry groups and companies have issues statements lauding or disagreeing with the new guide.