Maine has decided to join 48 other states in allowing the sale of irradiated foods. Governor Angus King signed a bill repealing the state ban in late June after the measure won approval by a state House-Senate Committee.

Proponents of regulatory sunset legislation are offering a new report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as evidence that the requirements of reviewing all major federal regulations at least every seven years won't be prohibitively expensive.

Los Alamitos, CA-based produce manufacturer Frieda's is taking a new approach to marketing for its latest line of products. Grouped as foods that are indigenous to the Americas and traditionally prepared by Native Americans, Lost Crops of the Americas(TM) features exotic products such as red and blue cornmeal, fresh aloe vera, black quinoa and rattlesnake beans.

C & V Zuegg, a producer of fruit juices and jams based in Verona, Italy, became the first company to use the Brick Carrier(TM) developed by Riverwood (Atlanta, GA).

The American Meat Institute (AMI) has asked for a six-month extension of the August 8 implementation date for new ingredient labeling requirements by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Hair care and cosmetics manufacturer Keystone Laboratories wanted to make a strong entrance into the market with its new Opal Glow(TM) alpha hydroxy-based skin care line, aimed primarily though not exclusively at African Americans.

The Delaney Clause is unlikely to survive the current assault from GOP lawmakers, which is coming from several directions. H.R. 1627, the "Food Quality Protection Act of 1995," whose provisions include replacement of Delaney with a negligible risk standard, has strong bipartisan support from ranking Republican and Democratic members of key committees including Agriculture and Department Operations and Nutrition.