FDA posts ‘deliverables’ for its human foods program

The Hagstrom Report announced that the Food and Drug Administration posted its “priority deliverables” for its 2025 Human Foods Program (HFP), which was launched as part of a broader agency reorganization on October 1.

Jim Jones, the deputy commissioner for human foods, participated in a webinar for the Alliance for a Stronger FDA said that the FDA will:
1) Issue a final rule this fiscal year on the use of the term “healthy” in food labeling and continue to work on a symbol that food manufacturers will be able to label healthy foods.
2) Issue a proposed rule on front-of-pack labeling.
3) Conduct an evaluation of phase one of its voluntary sodium reduction program and finalize a draft of phase two targets.
4) Develop a long term strategy to increase the supply of infant formula.
5) Conduct a study to determine if there is a causal connection between ultraprocessed foods and health outcomes, but at the same time take into consideration that key ingredients in ultraprocessed foods — sodium, saturated fats and added sugars — are known to be problematic in health outcomes.
6) Develop a five year strategic plan for the Human Foods Program.

APHIS: Bird flu found in swine in Oregon

According to the Hagstrom Report, The Agriculture Department and Oregon veterinary officials are investigating positive cases of H5N1 in a backyard farming operation in Oregon that has a mix of poultry and livestock, including swine.

APHIS reassured that “This farm is a non-commercial operation, and the animals were not intended for the commercial food supply,” reassuring that “there is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply as a result of this finding.”

In a separate statement, APHIS said it “is planning to enhance testing and monitoring for H5N1, building on measures taken by USDA since the beginning of the avian influenza outbreak.”

APHIS also added that ”In partnership with state veterinarians, USDA will implement a tiered strategy to collect milk samples to better assess where H5N1 is present, with the goal to better inform biosecurity and containment measures, as well as to inform state-led efforts to reduce risk to farm workers who may be in contact with animals infected with H5N1.”

Contrary to APHIS’ reassurance, The Washington Post noted the discovery to be “particularly concerning to scientists and public health officials because pigs can become coinfected with bird and human viruses, allowing genes to swap to form a new, more dangerous virus that can more easily infect humans.”

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) emphasized in a statement that the Oregon case “poses no threat to consumer health or food safety” and that “properly handled and cooked pork products remain safe for consumption” as “the entire pork industry remains committed to safeguarding food safety and human and animal health.”

Sonoma County, California, debates CAFO ban

The Sonoma Sun reported that Sonoma County, California, voters are considering a measure to set a limit on the number of animals that can be confined in a commercial operation by prohibiting Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

According to the Coalition to End Factory Farming, the group promoting the measure, there are 21 farming operations in Sonoma County that meet the federal definition of a CAFO.

If Measure J, the ballot measure intended to forbid factory farming in Sonoma County passes, Sonoma County farms with more than 700 dairy cattle or 82,000 laying hens would be required to downsize or close within three years, and no new large-farm operations could open.

Supporters say the CAFOs cause environmental problems and that the measure will bring attention to the broader issue of factory farming.

But opponents say it would destroy well established local businesses.

If the financial contributions over the fight are any indication, opponents of the measure should feel confident as contribution filings made on October 24 show a massive imbalance, with opponents reporting just shy of $1.5 million contributed while those in favor of the measure account for $220,000.

A review of the line items on required filings show contributions for both sides have arrived from parties well outside of Sonoma County, an indication that the measure is seen as a bell weather issue.