Computer vision-assisted smartphone microscope imaging digital immunosensor based on click chemistry-mediated microsphere counting technology for the detection of aflatoxin B1 in peanuts
Aflatoxin B1 is a carcinogenic contaminant in food or feed, and it poses a serious health risk to humans. Herein, a computer vision-assisted smartphone microscope imaging digital (SMID) immunosensor based on the click chemistry-mediated microsphere counting technology was designed for the detection of aflatoxin B1 in peanuts. In this SMID immunosensor, the modified polystyrene (PS) microspheres were used as the signal probes and were recorded by a smartphone microscopic imaging system after immunoreaction and click chemistry reaction. The number of PS probes is adjusted by aflatoxin B1. The customized computer vision procedure was used to efficiently identify and count the obtained PS probes. This SMID immunosensor enables sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 with a linear range from 0.001 ng/mL to 500 ng/mL, providing a simple, sensitive, and portable tool for food safety supervision. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2023.341687
Clinically and industrially relevant incurred reference materials to improve analysis of food allergens, milk, egg, almond, hazelnut and walnut
Measurement of food allergen protein concentrations against thresholds can improve allergen risk management and precautionary allergen labelling. Such measurement suffers well known problems which could be ameliorated by well characterised reference materials (RMs) providing meaningful information for risk assessors. We investigated the preparation and characterisation of the first consensus informed industrially and clinically relevant multi-allergen matrix RM kit for five priority allergens. It is a medium analytical difficulty processed food chocolate paste matrix (a) devoid of allergens, and (b) incurred with five allergens at the clinically relevant concentration of 10 mg kg-1 expressed as protein. The allergen raw materials: hens' egg white powder, skimmed cows' milk powder, almond powder (full fat), hazelnut powder (partially defatted), and walnut powder (partially defatted), are also available as RMs. The preparation, gravimetric traceability to the SI, homogeneity, and stability were found to be fit-for-purpose and the RMs are now available to the analytical community. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137391
Assessment of Raisins Byproducts for Environmentally Sustainable Use and Value Addition
This study investigated the potential and sustainable use of the biomass derived from various stages of the grape drying process. A total of eleven byproducts, each containing varying organic materials, were produced and subjected to testing. Ultimate analysis, as well as analyses of heating values, chemical composition, lignocellulose composition, total solids concentration and biogas production were performed with the recommended criteria and assessment methods. The results reveal that carbon (C), nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) levels were significantly different among the byproducts. The ash content of byproducts 5–11 ranged from 3.56 to 5.11%, which was lower than the estimated values in the other byproducts. The analysis of higher heating value showed significantly higher calorific values for byproducts 10 and 11 (22.73 ± 0.08 and 22.80 ± 0.07 MJ kg−1, respectively). Byproducts 1–9 had lower sugar content than byproducts 10 and 11 (rejected raisins). Byproducts 5–9 had the lowest lignin content, and there were no significant differences in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents between byproducts 1–6. The highest accumulated biogas volume after 40 days was 11.50 NL L−1 of substrate for byproduct group C (byproducts 10 to 11), followed by 11.20 NL L−1 of substrate for byproduct group B (byproducts 5–9) and 9.51 NL L−1 of substrate for byproduct group A (byproducts 1–4). It is concluded that byproducts consisting of biomass derived at different stages of raisin production may be an effective solid fuel and energy source. The amounts of volatile solids in the tested raisin processing byproducts indicated their appropriateness for pyrolysis conversion to a liquid product with high volatile content. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering5030091
The production of environmentally friendly building materials out of recycling walnut shell waste: a brief review
Agricultural waste is one of the wastes with a significant value in producing environmentally friendly materials that can be used in the construction sector. This review paper focuses on the potential uses of walnut shell in some building materials. Walnut shell is a type of agricultural waste that can be converted from waste into usable materials by incorporating it into the manufacture of some building materials to achieve sustainability in the construction industry. Recently, walnut waste has drawn the attention of researchers to generate building-friendly materials to boost sustainability in the construction field. In this sense, the walnut shell’s low specific gravity makes it a viable material, as a cheap agricultural waste product, for the development of building materials. According to a survey of the literature, walnut shells can be utilized in the production of structural elements and thermal insulating concrete, up to 30% and 50% as particles respectively. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04760-2
Cashew nut shell oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production: An overview.
Biodiesel outperforms diesel in emissions and engine performance. They burn efficiently in diesel engines and are eco-friendly. Since cashew nut shell liquid (CNSO) is waste, commercial biodiesel production from it should be profitable. CNSO is cheap and can reduce cashew processing factory waste. From cashew kernels, CNSL is extracted using various mechanical, thermal, and solvent extraction techniques. This article examines current research into using cashew nutshell liquid biodiesel (CNSLBD) in diesel engines. The work also discusses Indian biodiesel demand, availability, export information, life cycle cost analysis, cost economics of per hectare yield, Indian government initiative of CNSO. This review also evaluates the viability of this fuel as an alternative energy source. CNSLBD is a prospective alternative fuel that has the potential to benefit both the cashew nut industry and the energy industry. In addition to this, the study examines the procedures for extracting CNSO. According to the findings of the study, CNSO is a prospective alternative fuel that has the potential to benefit both the cashew nut industry and the energy industry. https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.28515
Labeling Update: September 2023
UK: New Food Allergen Labeling Guidance
On September 5, 2023, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) published updates to their food allergen labeling and information technical guidance. The new guidance recommends several changes in relation to how food businesses should use Precautionary Allergen Labels (PALs):
- Only apply a PAL if there is an unavoidable risk of allergen cross-contamination that cannot be sufficiently controlled by segregation and cleaning.
- Specify which of the 14 major allergens the PAL refers to —for example, using “may contain peanuts” rather than a generic “may contain nuts” statement.
- Use PAL statements in combination with a “vegan” label where a risk of cross-contamination with an allergen has been identified. A “vegan” label communicates different information to a “free-from” claim, which is food safety information aimed at different consumer groups.
The FSA update supports the FDF Guidance on Change Management of Allergen Information, which was also published in early September 2023 by the Food and Drink Federation.
Thailand: New Rules Proposed for Expiration Dates and Allergen Warnings
According to Food Navigator Europe, the Thai Food and Drug Association (FDA) has issued draft proposals for prepackaged foods that would align the country’s labeling regulations with international standards. The proposed changes would change the requirements on how expiration dates and allergen warnings are displayed on food packaging. The public comment period closes on September 30, 2023.
High biomass filled biodegradable plastic in engineering sustainable composites
The production of single-use, non-renewable plastic has persistently impacted the environment through non-biodegradable plastic accumulation. Injection-moulded biodegradable polymer blend [poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene-adipate) (PBSA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)] with an inexpensive filler, walnut shell powder (WSP), enables an appropriate melt flow behaviour after incorporating compatibilizer as confirmed by rheological analysis. The sustainable composites with 60 wt% WSP showed a decrement of 68.4% in tensile strength as compared to PBSA/PBAT blend. However, the inclusion of a 5 wt% compatibilizer in PBSA/PBAT/60wt%WSP composite increased tensile strength by 48.7%, indicating improved interfacial adhesion. Further, the improvements in tensile (694%) and flexural moduli (461%) of PBSA/PBAT blend were observed with the addition of 60 wt% WSP in presence of 7 wt% compatibilizer due to fibrillar morphology of filler. Thus, signifying enhanced stiffness with increased filler, leading to a composite suitable for rigid packaging. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed an improved adhesion between matrix and filler interfaces with the addition of a compatibilizer as gaps decreased, subsequently leading to increased mechanical properties. The novelty of this work establishes a high loading of filler can be incorporated with biodegradable polymers and improved properties in presence of compatibilizer makes it more suitable for injection moulding applications to produce a low-cost biocomposite capable of being used as a single-use plastic alternative in rigid packaging. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2023.100388
Marketing Orders: September 2023
USA: Federal Marketing Order for California Walnuts to Be Amended
On August 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that producers of walnuts grown in California voted for six amendments to the federal marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California. The amendments will eliminate mandatory inspection and certification of in-shell and shelled walnuts, and of shelled walnuts for processing; create a new mechanism for determining and collecting handler assessments; add authority to charge interest for late payments; establish an assessment rate of $0.0125 per inshell pound of walnuts; expand the definition of “to handle” to include “receive”; and remove volume control authority. The amendments became effective on September 20, 2023.
USA: Results of Cranberry Marketing Order Referendum Announced
On August 16, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that producers voting in a referendum on the federal marketing order for cranberries did not show enough support to continue the program. The marketing order was favored by 26.5% of cranberry growers voting in the referendum and by 20.1% of the production volume voted in the referendum. USDA will engage with committee staff on next steps and provide the opportunity for cranberry producers, industry participants and the public to express their views on terminating the program during an upcoming public notice and comment period.
Food Safety Update: September 2023
China: Revised Measures for Supervision and Administration of Quality and Safety of Edible Agricultural Products in Markets
On July 22, 2023, the People’s Republic of China State Administration for Market Regulation released revised Measures for Supervision and Administration of Quality and Safety of Edible Agricultural Products in Markets, according to a USDA GAIN report released on September 6, 2023. Major revisions include:
- Encouragement of the prioritized purchases of edible agricultural products with commitment qualification certificate and other product quality qualification certificates.
- Strengthening training of food safety management personnel.
- Encouragement of the use of recommended national standards, industrial standards and group standards to enhance high quality development with full implementation of national food safety standards.
- Addition of settings and usage requirements for lighting in sales markets.
- Emphasis on food safety requirements for ready-to-eat products such as fresh-cut fruits and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.
The revised Measures will enter into force on December 1, 2023.
EU: EFSA Proposes New MRLs for Pistachios
On September 15, 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing maximum residue levels and setting of import tolerances for mefentrifluconazole in various plant commodities, including pistachios.
EFSA assessed the application submitted by BASF Agro B.V. Arnhem (NL) Freienbach Branch and the evaluation report by the competent national authority in Austria, and concluded that the short-term and long-term intake of residues resulting from the use of mefentrifluconazole according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health.
As for hazelnuts, EFSA recommended no change to the MRL set at the limit of analytical quantification (0.01 mg/kg).
EFSA proposes to amend the MRLs as follows:
Mefentrifluconazole
| Code | Commodity | Existing EU MRL (mg/kg) | Proposed EU MRL (mg/kg) | Comment/justification |
| 0120060 | Hazelnuts | 0.01* | 0.01* (no change) | An MRL amendment is not required for the intended SEU use on hazelnuts. NEU use is not supported by data. Risk for consumers unlikely. |
| 0120100 | Pistachios | 0.01* | 0.05 | The submitted data are sufficient to derive an MRL proposal for the intended SEU use. NEU use is not supported by data. Risk for consumers unlikely. |
* Indicates that the MRL is set at the limit of analytical quantification (LOQ).
EU: New MRLs for Pesticides
The European Commission published a Regulation (EU) 2023/1783 amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for denatonium benzoate, diuron, etoxazole, methomyl and teflubenzuron in or on certain products, including nuts and fruits.
In addition, Regulation (EU) 2023/1753 of 11 September 2023 amends Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for pyriproxyfen.
EU: New ML for Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS)
The European Commission published its Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608 amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 as regards the listing of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds. In order to reinforce the application and enforcement in the European Union of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, a limit value should be set for PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds occurring as an unintentional trace contaminant in substances, mixtures and articles. That limit value should be set at 0.025 mg/kg for PFHxS including its salts, and at 1 mg/kg for the individual PFHxS-related compounds or a combination of those compounds.
EU: Renewed Approval of the Low-Risk Active Substance Cydia pomonella Granulovirus (CpGV)
The European Commission published an Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1756 renewing the approval of the low-risk active substance Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.
UK: New Border Controls for EU Goods to Begin January 31, 2024
The UK Government has announced new border controls for goods from the EU. New sanitary and phytosanitary controls will be introduced as of January 31, 2024. These controls include health certification on imports of medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU.
To give stakeholders additional time to prepare for the new checks, further controls have a revised timetable. These include checks on medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU, implemented in April 2024, and safety and Security declarations for EU imports, implemented in October 2024.
USA: FDA Revokes Uses of Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has amended regulations providing for the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in food in light of the agency’s June 2015 final determination that PHOs are no longer generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The rule removes PHOs as an optional ingredient in the standards of identity for peanut butter.
Latest Trade News and Agreements: September 2023
Panama Canal Extends Transit Restrictions Amid Prolonged Drought
Measures adopted to limit the number of vessels transiting the Panama Canal and the maximum draft of these vessels will stay in place for the rest of the year and throughout 2024, according to a September 5 Reuters report quoting the canal’s deputy minister. The restrictions were introduced earlier this year amid historically low rainfall levels in the region.
According to an advisory published by the canal in late July: “Effective July 30, 2023, and until further notice, the daily transit capacity will be adjusted to an average of 32 vessels per day, normally distributed among the Panamax and Neopanamax locks in the following manner: 10 vessels in the Neopanamax locks and 22 vessels in the Panamax locks.” The advisory noted that daily transit capacity may be further adjusted as necessary, depending on the water level of Gatun Lake, weather forecasts and vessel mix.
EU-US: Exchange on Section 232 Tariff Agreement
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on the margins of the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers’ Meeting on August 24, 2023. According to the readout from the meeting, Ambassador Tai and Executive Vice President Dombrovskis reviewed US-EU negotiations toward a global arrangement on sustainable steel and aluminum and toward a US-EU Critical Minerals Agreement, and tasked their teams with an intensified pace of meetings on these initiatives.
However, according to FRUCOM, with the communicated deadline of October approaching for the discussions of the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium (GSA), there is concern among affected industries in the EU and the US as to whether the current suspension of the Section 232 dispute and tariffs will extend beyond December 31, when they are scheduled to resume —affecting dried cranberries and peanut butter, among other products— should the GSA not be concluded.
The Section 232 Coalition of associations representing industries affected by the retaliatory tariffs held a meeting on September 6 with the European Commission’s Directorate for Trade, to underscore the importance of the EU and the US concluding the GSA. The focus should remain squarely on an agreement that will permanently remove the tariffs, rather than a prolongation of the tariff suspension.
EU: Adoption of Marketing Standards Concerning Nuts and Dried Fruits
On August 17, 2023, the European Commission adopted draft regulations revising marketing standards affecting nuts and dried fruits. These regulations will be applicable as of January 1, 2025. For a summary of the main changes introduced by these regulations, see the INC’s July 2023 trade news update.
More information:
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) laying down rules concerning checks on conformity to marketing standards for the fruit and vegetables sector, certain processed fruit and vegetable products and the bananas sector
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards marketing standards for the fruit and vegetables sector, certain processed fruit and vegetable products and the bananas sector, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1666/1999 and Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) No 543/2011 and (EU) No 1333/2011
EU-Australia: Resumption of Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
According to Reuters, a teleconference call took place on August 31, 2023, between EU Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis and Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell. This communication signals a resumption of talks between the two countries after Australia walked away from signing an agreement in July over differences regarding access to EU markets for Australian agricultural products.
UK-India: Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
A 12th round of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of India took place from August 8-31, 2023. India hosted the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in Jaipur on August 24-25. The negotiations were conducted in a hybrid fashion, with a number of UK officials traveling to Delhi for negotiations and others attending virtually. The 13th round of negotiations will take place in September.
East Africa: Draft Standards on Cashew Flour, Peanut Flour and Macadamias
On September 15, 2023, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda notified the World Trade Organization of draft East African Standards specifying requirements, sampling and test methods for the following products:
- Cashew flour obtained from the milling of cashew kernels derived from the nuts of the cashew tree (of varieties of Anacardium occidentale) intended for human consumption.
- Raw in-shell macadamia nuts of varieties grown from Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla and their hybrids whose kernels are intended for human consumption.
- Peanut/groundnut flour obtained from the varieties of Arachishypogaea intended for human consumption.
The comment period will be open for 60 days from notification.
More information:
- Draft East African Standard on Cashew Flour
- Draft East African Standard on Peanut/Groundnut Flour
- Draft East African Standard on Raw In-shell Macadamia Nuts
Colombia: Regulation on Applications and Procedures for Pest and Disease Risk Analysis for Imported Goods
On August 21, 2023, Colombia notified the World Trade Organization of Resolution No. 8389 of July 12, 2023, regulating applications and procedures for pest and disease risk analysis for the importation into Colombia of animals, plants, their by-products and other regulated articles.
US-China: Bilateral Discussions
On August 28, 2023, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China Wang Wentao to advance US commercial and strategic interests, according to a press release issued by the US Department of Commerce. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral discussions between the US and China.
Secretary Raimondo and Minister Wang agreed to:
- Establish a new commercial issues working group, a consultation mechanism involving US and Chinese government officials and private sector representatives to seek solutions on trade and investment issues and to advance US commercial interests in China.
- Launch the export control enforcement information exchange, which will serve as a platform to reduce misunderstanding of US national security policies.
- Convene subject matter experts from both sides to hold technical discussions regarding strengthening the protection of trade secrets and confidential business information during administrative licensing proceedings.
- Communicate regularly at the Secretary and Minister level about commercial and economic issues and to meet in-person at least once annually.