🥦Update on SNAP Staple Food Requirements for Retailers
In response to section 765 of the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2017 and subsequently enacted appropriations, this rule proposes to codify a new framework for determining distinct staple food varieties and accessory foods (such as snacks, desserts, and foods meant to complement or supplement meals, which do not themselves count as staple foods) for purposes of meeting the staple food requirements for retailer participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The rulemaking is necessary to implement the codified stocking requirements of the Agricultural Act of 2014, which increased the minimum number of staple food varieties and perishables SNAP retailers must carry. A summary of this notice of proposed rulemaking is posted on regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FNS- 2025-0018.
Learn More🌾USDA Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation," and 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative." The agenda also describes regulations affecting small entities as required by section 602 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-354. This agenda also identifies regulatory actions that are being reviewed in compliance with section 610(c) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We invite public comments on those actions as well as any regulation consistent with Executive Order 13563. USDA has attempted to list all regulations and regulatory reviews pending at the time of publication except for minor and routine or repetitive actions, but some may have been inadvertently missed. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the date shown. USDA's complete regulatory agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov. Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602), USDA's printed agenda entries include only: (1) Rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; and (2) Rules identified for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Learn More🥪FDA Proposes Removal of Orange B Color Additive Regulation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is proposing to issue an order that would remove the color additive regulation that allows for the use of Orange B for coloring the casings or surfaces of frankfurters and sausages. Based on certification data, it appears that Orange B is no longer used for coloring the casings or surfaces of frankfurters and sausages and has not been certified for use as a color additive in food marketed in the United States since 1978. Because the authorized use of Orange B appears to have been abandoned, we have tentatively concluded that this color additive regulation is outdated and unnecessary.
Learn More🍅Revision of U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Tomato Products
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to revise seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products. AMS is proposing to update the color sections in the grade standards, replace the two- term grading system (dual-nomenclature) with a single term, and make editorial changes. AMS is also proposing to change the spelling of "catsup" to the more commonly used term "ketchup."
Learn More📋FDA's GRAS Notifications and Information Collection Overview
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Learn More🥦USDA Notice on Nutrition Education Message Development
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection. The purpose of performing consumer research is to identify consumers' understanding of proposed nutrition education messages and obtain their reaction to prototypes of nutrition education products, including internet-based tools. The information collected will be used to refine messages and improve the usefulness of products as well as aid consumer understanding of Dietary Guidelines-grounded messages and related materials.
Learn More🍗New Color Additive Regulations
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is confirming the effective date of June 26, 2025, for the final order that appeared in the Federal Register of May 12, 2025. The final order amends the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of calcium phosphate as a color additive in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, doughnut sugar, and sugar for coated candies.
Learn More🍹FDA Confirms Galdieria Extract Blue as Safe Color Additive
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is confirming the effective date of June 26, 2025, for the final order that appeared in the Federal Register of May 12, 2025. The final order amends the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of galdieria extract blue as a color additive at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP) in: non-alcoholic beverages and beverage bases, fruit drinks, fruit smoothies, fruit juices, vegetable juices, dairy-based smoothies, milk shakes and flavored milks, yogurt drinks, milk-based meal replacement and nutritional beverages, breakfast cereal coatings, hard candy, soft candy and chewing gum, flavored frostings, ice cream and frozen dairy desserts, frozen fruits, water ices and popsicles, gelatin desserts, puddings and custards, whipped cream, yogurt, frozen or liquid creamers (including non-dairy alternatives), and whipped toppings (including non-dairy alternatives).
Learn More🍊Proposed Rule to Lower Brix Level for Pasteurized Orange Juice
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is proposing to amend the standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice (POJ) by lowering the minimum orange juice soluble solids content from 10.5[deg] to 10[deg] Brix. We tentatively conclude that this proposed amendment will promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers and provide industry greater flexibility in the manufacture of pasteurized orange juice. This action, if finalized, will respond to a citizen petition submitted by the Florida Citrus Processors Association Inc. and Florida Citrus Mutual Inc.
Learn More🎨FDA Corrects Color Additive Listing for Gardenia Blue
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is correcting the order entitled "Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Gardenia (Genipin) Blue". In the order, FDA amended the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of gardenia (genipin) blue in various foods, at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP). The order inadvertently misstated the methanol specification. This document corrects that error.
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