The FDA recently held a hearing designed to include information and views related to the safety of cannabis edibles and beverages—with a strong emphasis on cannabidiol (CBD) ingredients—as well as to solicit input relevant to the agency's regulatory strategy for existing products.

The food technology startup combines scientific innovation with ingredients from nature to create wholesome and nutritious food, restore natural ecosystems and feed a growing population sustainably.

Following draft guidance issued from the FDA, Ingredion Incorporated announced US food and beverage manufacturers can intensify development of reduced-sugar products using ASTRAEA® Allulose.

In a continuing effort to encourage the FDA to classify gum acacia as dietary fiber, TIC Gums and others in the acacia industry commissioned two clinical studies designed to provide additional evidence of the physiological benefit of acacia as a dietary fiber.

The inclusion of polydextrose in the newly expanded list of isolated or synthetic non-digestible carbohydrates in the classification of dietary fiber provides formulators with an economical, highly functional ingredient that qualifies for label claims.

The announcement follows a joint citizen petition requesting the addition of chicory root fiber to the list of dietary fibers accepted in the US as well as a comprehensive response to the FDAs scientific review of inulin-type-fructans and data request. In 2015, the FDA issued new Nutrition Facts labeling regulations for food and supplements to be implemented by January 1st, 2020. In the new regulation, dietary fibers are defined as naturally occurring fibers that are intrinsic and intact in plants, or as isolated or synthetic fibers that have demonstrated a beneficial physiological effect.

The decision was made following an extensive review by the FDA’s Nutrition Science Review team into a wide range of non-digestible carbohydrates. As a result, chicory root fibers inulin and oligofructose—natural non-digestible carbohydrates from chicory root—have a demonstrated health benefit and have been found to be in compliance with the dietary fiber definition, as outlined in the nutrition labelling regulations. 

If we start with what we know for sure will happen in 2018, this would be the last sentence of the article. Still, one can make a few educated guesses as a prelude to devising effective regulatory and business strategies 2018.