Don’t miss NCA CEO John Downs’ letter to the editor in The Washington Post on Halloween candy preferences. On this momentous occasion for our industry, chocolate and candy reign supreme at Halloween. Happy Halloween!
CEO Corner
What The Media Missed When Covering The GWU Chocolate Study
Today, the Frontiers in Nutrition journal published the results of a study out of George Washington University (GWU) related to chocolate and cocoa products. The resulting news coverage is missing important context for readers and has left consumers with unanswered questions about sources of lead and cadmium in the diet.
Indianapolis Becomes the Center of the Sweets and Snacks Universe
After 25 successful years in Chicago, the Sweets & Snacks Expo is officially calling Indianapolis home. In a joint op-ed for the Indianapolis Star, Visit Indy’s Leonard Hoops and NCA’s John Downs shared what makes this new partnership so special.
PennLive/Patriot News Editorial Board Weighs In: Scientists at the FDA should determine what foods are safe, not local politicians
The PennLive/Patriot-News editorial board opposed Pennsylvania’s proposal to ban certain FDA-approved food additives, saying that “such action could hurt Pennsylvania food manufacturing companies if each state is allowed to set its own safety standards.”
Toxicologists Weigh In: Serious Consequences for Food Additive Bans
As more states consider bans on FDA-approved food additives, two toxicologists shared their thoughts on the consequences of these bills for the Institute of Food Technologists. This article gets right to the core of the issue, saying that “these allegations…stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the science of toxicology, the linchpin of food additive safety, and the meticulous regulatory oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”
Those who are proposing a ban on certain FDA-approved food additives are not scientists, toxicologists or regulatory experts.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for evaluating the safety of food ingredients and additives. As California, New York and about a dozen other states consider pending proposals to ban several FDA-approved food additives, we agree that science-based evaluation of these additives is needed, but usurping FDA’s authority will do nothing but create a state-by-state patchwork of inconsistent state requirements that increase food costs, create confusion around food safety, and erode consumer confidence in our food supply.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Stop Scaring Consumers About Food Additives
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for evaluating the safety of food ingredients and additives. Lately, state legislators have overstepped their remit with regards to our food system, opening the door for increased food costs and confusion around food safety.
Read my Chicago Sun-Times letter to the editor, published on March 19, 2024 in response to a recent opinion piece on this topic.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘Do or dye’ expertise on food additives should be left to the FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for evaluating the safety of food ingredients and additives. Lately, state legislators have overstepped their remit with regards to our food system, opening the door for increased food costs and confusion around…
The Halloween Season: An Iconic Celebration Made Complete by Chocolate and Candy
Throughout the year, American consumers look forward to celebrating their favorite holidays and seasons with friends and family. Whether it’s exchanging heart-shaped chocolate boxes on Valentine’s Day or roasting s’mores around a summer bonfire, chocolate and candy play an important role in these special moments and seasonal celebrations.
Former FDA Deputy Commissioner Says California Should Think Carefully About Additive Ban
Over the weekend, the Orange County Register published an op-ed about the proposed food additive ban in California penned by former FDA Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannis. In the piece, Frank expressed an opinion very much aligned with positioning of NCA and the candy industry, writing, “It’s critical to rely on experts at the federal level, in close collaboration with state officials, to maintain consistency, uniformity, and consumer confidence in our nation’s food safety system.”
Sales of Chocolate and Candy Reach New Highs, Poised for Future Growth
Without question, the rising cost of food has been dominating the news cycle and impacting how consumers make purchasing decisions.
The 2023 State of Treating report reinforced what we know: During this economic uncertainty, consumers are looking for small ways to bring a little sweetness to their lives and the lives of those around them.
