RFK Jr. Praises Arizona Legislation Targeting Processed Foods, Soda + More

RFK Jr. Praises Arizona Legislation Targeting Processed Foods, Soda

Arizona Daily Star reported:

State lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to two measures designed to promote public health — but not before exempting themselves from one of them.

Without dissent, the Republican-led Senate approved House Bill 2164 to eliminate certain artificial dyes and chemicals from what can be served and sold at public schools. That measure, already approved by the House, now goes to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

But HB 2165, a proposal to keep people from using their food stamps to purchase sodas, drew unanimous derision from Senate Democrats — particularly after their Republican counterparts refused to apply the same restrictions on the use of the taxpayer dollars they get in a daily allowance for their expenses while the Legislature is in session.

Study Reveals How Production Practices Influence Nutrient Density of Beef

BEEF Magazine reported:

What makes one cut of beef more nutritious than another? A new landmark study may finally offer some insights. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Bionutrient Institute, Utah State University and Edacious, an agri-food technology company, have released early findings from an ambitious research initiative exploring the nutrient density of beef — and the many factors that influence it.

This multiyear effort provides compelling evidence that beef’s nutritional composition is not fixed but highly variable — driven by differences in feed and pasture quality, genetics and animal management systems.

“We’re witnessing the beginnings of a paradigm shift in how we evaluate food quality,” said Eric Smith, chief executive officer of Edacious. “This project moves us closer to answering the fundamental question of whether we are getting enough and the right kind of nutrition from the food we eat. By making nutrient density measurable, comparable and transparent, we can unlock better outcomes for human health and the environment.”

Clusters of Additives in Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Type 2 Diabetes, Study Finds

CNN reported:

Nearly 70% of all food in grocery stores in the U.S. is ultraprocessed, meaning the foods contain additives used to add flavor and color, create texture, extend shelf life and keep ingredients from separating. Yet little research on the health impact of additives exist, and what data there is looks at the possible harms of individual ingredients, such as food dyes and brominated vegetable oil, as well as contaminants that leach into foods from packaging.

However, clusters of additives often used by industry in certain food categories may be more harmful when eaten together than alone, according to a new study which found two such mixtures linked to a small but significant increase in type 2 diabetes.

“The research shows that the intake of certain clusters of additives increases the risk of diabetes beyond the effect of each individual additive,” said Carlos Augusto Monteiro, emeritus professor in the school of public health at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, in an email.

‘They’re Killing You’: US Poultry Workers Fear Faster Lines Will Lead to More Injury

The Guardian reported:

The Trump administration will speed up processing lines for poultry and pork meatpacking plants while halting reports on worker safety, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced recently, in a move that workers and advocates say will lead to more injuries.

Some poultry and pork plants already receive waivers to speed up production lines, and the USDA plans to update its rules to make the changes permanent and applicable to all poultry and pork plants, the department said in a press release.

At the same time, the USDA will no longer require reports on worker safety data, calling the information “redundant” and pointing to research that the agency says “confirmed no direct link between processing speeds and workplace injuries”.

Egg Prices Increase to Record High Despite Trump’s Predictions and Bird Flu Outbreak Slowing

AP News reported:

U.S. egg prices increased again last month to reach a new record-high of $6.23 per dozen despite President Donald Trump’s predictions, a drop in wholesale prices and no egg farms having bird flu outbreaks. The increase reported Thursday in the Consumer Price Index means consumers and businesses that rely on eggs might not get much immediate relief.

Demand for eggs is typically elevated until after Easter, which falls on April 20. Industry experts were expecting the index to reflect a drop in retail egg prices because wholesale egg prices dropped significantly in March.

University of Arkansas agricultural economist Jada Thompson said the wholesale prices did not start dropping until mid-March, so there may not have been enough time for the average price for the month to decline even though prices started to fall at the end of the month. And grocery stores may not have immediately passed on the lower prices.

Mississippi Bans Production, Sale of Lab-Grown Meat

Magnolia Tribune reported:

Mississippi is among a growing number of states prohibiting the production and sale of lab-grown meat. It comes at a time when the food and agriculture industries in the U.S. are seeking to balance traditional means of production with innovation in the marketplace.

Those supporting the product bans point to the need to back ranchers and farmers while advocates for the developing industry say they are providing an option for consumers. Still others, including some voices that support farmers, are reluctant to ban the lab-grown products, choosing instead to call for transparency in labeling.

Florida led the nation in passing legislation regulating the products last year, followed by Alabama. Other states, such as Michigan and Nebraska, have been debating the issue. Now, Mississippi is following the trend. HB 1006 went into law without the signature of Governor Tate Reeves (R) at the end of March after the Mississippi House and Senate unanimously agreed to prohibit the cultured products.

State Rep. Bill Pigott (R), the author of the legislation and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, told lawmakers manufacturers are “taking stem cells from animals and growing it in labs and coming out with cuts of meat.”

Global Cultured Meat Market to Surpass USD 4.2 Billion by 2030, Expanding 11.5X in Size

Tiawan News reported:

Report Ocean has published a new report on the Cultured Meat Market, delivering an extensive analysis of key factors such as market restraints, drivers, and opportunities. The report offers a detailed examination of industry trends and developments shaping the growth of the Cultured Meat market. It also provides a comprehensive analysis and forecast of the market future performance.

Global Cultured Meat Market is flourishing because of the increasing demand for meat products along with growing awareness about animal rights and negative impact of animal farming industry on environment.

Report Ocean, a leading strategic consulting and market research firm, in its recent study, estimated the Global Cultured Meat Market size at USD 364.31 million in 2023. During the forecast period between 2024 and 2030, Report Ocean expects the Global Cultured Meat Market size to boom at a robust CAGR of 41.81% reaching a value of USD 4,202.36 million by 2030.

Growing awareness about animal rights and growing monetary assistance for the lab-grown meat sector owing to lower carbon footprint compared to livestock industry are two key growth drivers for the Global Cultured Meat Market. Furthermore, growing consumer health consciousness and incidences of zoonotic diseases are expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for the players in the Global Cultured Meat Market.