The GMO and "Fiscal Cliff"

Well, good Californians decided not to approve Prop 37, we know that was "good" because it could have added $400 per year to their food budget, not to mention the increases over time to all Americans as a result of the food manufacturers having to adjust all their formulas, processes, etc.

Now that we are clear of the GMO "cliff", we are asking our elected officials to do good for all Americans and address all issues associated with the fiscal cliff. Not compromising could mean an average tax increase of over $2000 per family.

We elected you to Washington, now do your job and make us happier Americans and don't leave until the job is completed! 

Genetically Engineered Food Labeling

 A California ballot initiative mandating that all foods containing a "genetically engineered" ingredient carry a GE label is being voted on next Tuesday by that state's citizens. Proposition 37, as it is called, would require manufacturers to put a "partially produced engineered" label on product made or containing GE ingredients. If passed, this law would go into effect 7/1/2014. It would require that any product containing a certain percentage of GE ingredients, based on product weight, to bear the label.
Proposition 37 would also impact food labeled "natural" and "all natural". Such products will not be allowed to be labeled or advertised as natural.
Technically, many foods contain some type of corn derivative, soy derivative or canola derivative. The fact is that most of those ingredients are derived from plants grown using GE technology.
Many people say lets get these foods labeled, but just think of the carry over to the entire nations food industry if this catchos on with the nations consumers (not just California).
Does this change the labeling game? I think it could!!

Healthy Nutmeats

Nutmeats are extremely healthy! The Mayo Clinic states that nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids, omega -3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin E, plant sterols and L-arginine, as well as many other nutrients that are needed for proper health. Nuts can also reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots and lower your cholesterol level. They also help the lining of your arteries stay healthy. Those that are highly preferred are walnuts, almonds, pine nuts (make pesto!), pecans, and hazelnuts.
Walnuts are possibly the best nut of the group because they help the brain, heart, skin and bones to be at their healthiest. Almonds are great for you because they are loaded with magnesium and calcium - two of the best bone healthy nutrients. Vitamin E is also plentiful in almonds according to the USDA and may lessen the risk of colon cancer in addition to lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol. Cedar nuts (pine nuts) are loaded with protein and amino acids (the ingredients that make up proteins). Vitamins E, K, thiamin, niacin, manganese, copper and zinc are plentiful in the pine nut. Pecans play a solid role in lowering cholesterol and are full of vitamins and minerals, heart healthy fats, and antioxidant rich vitamins A, C, and E. Lastly, Hazelnuts provide heart healthy fiber and are loaded with vitamins C, E, and K along with key minerals as copper, iron and phosphorous. Enjoy your NUTS!

Eating Healthy??

Seventy six per cent of consumers agree that changing nutritional guidelines makes it very difficult to know what to believe about nutrition and 52% of these consumers believe figuring ou their income tax is easier than knowing what they should and shouldn't eat to be healthier.
Essentially consumers are confuled about how to eat healthy. The recent survey also pointed out thatconsumers most often rely on their own research instead of third party experts when making decisions about food and their overall eating habits.
Other points of the survey include that 55% of Americans are trying to lose weight, but 23% of obese consumers and 44% of overweight consumers say they are not trying to lose weight. Fewer than 1 in 10 Americans correctly guessed the number of calories they need to maintain their weight and 60% of Americans have given thought to the sustainability of their foods and beverages with about 40% regularly purchasing locally sourced food and beverage products. So the beat goes on !! 

Front Of Package Labeling Strategy

A report issued by a committee appointed by the Institute of Medicine concluded that it truly is time for an alternate approach in presenting nutritional information about the healthfulness of food. After  reviewing a number of products at retail and in my cupboard, I certainly agree. The front of package (FOP) display could be standardized, will be more informative to consumers, and would, with information contained on the principal display panel, motivate food and beverage companies to produce healthier products because of its closeness to the consumers eyes. The key is that the current Nutrition Facts statement is clumsy and complex for the average consumer to review, just too much unnecessary information. The new FOP facts information is simple and does not require a degree in food chemistry or nutrition to understand. Encourage the FDA and the USDA to develop a test program using a single, standard FOP system and replacing the existing system, the Nutrtition Facts Statement. Afterall the most effective programs will be those that consumers embrace and understand. Simplicity is key, there is too much unnecessary information with the current system, and its model needs an overhaul.

Flanyak Scientific, LLC is a consulting firm supporting the Food, Confectionery and Pharmaceutical Industries.

Food Safety - Last Chapter

Several noteworthy provisions of the new Food Safety law is the mandatory recall authority provided to the FDA. For the first time, the FDA can demand and punish a manufacturer for not promptly removing a harmful product from the marketplace. It also allows inspectors to place stricter standards on imported foods to block foods from facilities or countries that refuse inspections. Currently the FSMA does not amend the meat inspection act and will not apply to meat, poultry or egg products. Our Secretary of Agriculture has stated however that the USDA is reviewing the meat inspection act and will apply FSMA reforms in the near term future.
Flanyak Scientific, LLC is a food, confectionery and pharmaceutical technical consulting firm. We specfialize in product development, food regulatory, allergens, quality systems, comanufacturing, educational programs, among others. Please access my website if you would like further information.

Food Allergies

Reading the 2/28 article in the Wall Street Journal concerning food allergies led me to speculate as to their cause.
The article stated that 1 in 13 school children in the US now have food allergies.
There seems to be little explanation for this drastic increase.
As a food chemist and the grandfather of children with food allergies, one of my own theories is that people have not changed, but foods have.
Hybridization and genetic engineering of food are ongoing. Our foods may be changing at the genetic level into foods that some bodies can't tolerate.
The implication of this theory is scary!
Could we be creating a food supply that humans can't eat?

Food Safety - Part 3

There will be one more section on the history of food in the US.
In 1957, many standards for food were set and enforced, these are commonly known as "standards of identity". But over the last 60 years, a number of other guidelines for food were passed. A few examples include the Delaney Amendment, which empowers FDA over pesticides. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966 and the Food Quality and Protection Act of 1996 were also passed and they aimed to reduce the number of food borne illnesses. During this 30 year period, food production became cleaner and more transparent to all consumers. All this leads us to 2011, when President Obama signed into law the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA), prompted by a salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter in 2009. This new law emphasized prevention. The law also was very distinct from its predecessor laws. It focused on harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses in manufacturing facilities, and not the historical concerns of adulteration through inks and sawdust.
Flanyak Scientific, LLC can help your firm establish a solid quality system around the guidelines of the FSMA.

Food Safety's History - Part 2

In 1906, President T. Roosevelt acted with Congress to pass 2 pieces of legislation. The first was the "Pure Food and Drug Act", the other was the "Meat Inspection Act". Thes 2 bills mark the birth of food monitoring and food safety. The Pure Food and Drug Act prohibited adulterated food, drink and drugs in interstate commerce. At that time, Wileys Bureau of Chemistry would later become known as the Food, Drug and Insecticide Administration in 1927, then in 1931, it became known as the FDA.
The Meat Inspection Act was much simpler. It expanded federal meat regulations to provide continuous inspection of all red meat in interstate commerce. But the Pure Food Act was flawed, because it included exemptions for distinctive names like  "Bred-Spred". Because of the nature of th law, a productas this, could legally be made with coal tar, artificial pectin, artificial flavors and grass seed. WOW!.
Both Acts were amended and eventually replaced with the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938. Still in effect today, the FD&C authorizes 3 kinds of food standards: identity quality, and fill of container.
More to come!!