Labeling Regulations Research Articles

Impact of the new hazard classes in the CLP regulation on EU chemicals legislation

The EU recently introduced four new hazard classes to the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (CLP) (EC) 1272/2008. The classes are endocrine disruption for human health (ED HH) and the environment (ED ENV), persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB), and persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) or very persistent and very mobile (vPvM). This action was a direct consequence of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which aims at strengthening the protection of human health and the environment, as well as reinforcing the CLP Regulation as the central piece of the chemicals legislation. This study examined the regulatory obligations triggered by these new hazard classes, as well as the existing obligations for endocrine disrupters and PBT/vPvB substances identified in other EU regulations. In addition, we compared the CLP criteria for endocrine disruption and PBT/vPvB to criteria existing in other EU regulations and investigated how these criteria are used in the EU chemicals legislation. We found that the implementation of the new hazard classes under the CLP into existing EU chemicals legislation will require the revision of all regulations that rely on the CLP hazard criteria for risk management. Without revision, the immediate impact of the new hazard classes will only extend to six regulations and the regulatory obligations they contain, all of which apply to substances classified under any of the CLP hazard classes. Meanwhile, substances with endocrine disrupting and PBT/vPvB properties are already being identified and regulated using criteria from regulations other than the CLP. When comparing the criteria for identification of endocrine disrupters and PBT/vPvB substances across the chemicals legislation, we found that the criteria differed between regulations. The findings aim to support the efficient implementation of the new CLP hazard classes and harmonization of criteria across regulations, in line with the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Substitutes for Industrial Trans Fats in Packaged Foods: A Scoping Review.

The World Health Organization recommended the global elimination of industrial trans fats by 2023, leading to a decrease in their use in packaged foods. Nevertheless, a gap remains in the scientific literature regarding the ingredients adopted as substitutes by the food industry. This study aimed to map evidence on substitutes for industrial trans fats in packaged foods, discussing their possible designation in the ingredients lists. For this, a scoping review was conducted according to recommendations from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Systematic searches were performed in 6 databases using terms related to industrial trans fats, identification of possible substitutes, and trans fats exemption. The search retrieved 5072 articles. Of these, 233 (152 original articles and 81 review studies) were included in the scoping review. A total of 87 different raw materials were cited as trans fats substitutes in the selected studies, with palm stearin being the most frequent. The processing methods were categorized in 8 groups, with interesterification being the most cited (46% of studies). Food items belonging to 15 food groups were found to contain trans fats substitutes, mainly margarine, shortenings, and spreads. From the collected data, it was estimated that there are at least 690 distinct terms for referring to industrial trans fats substitutes in the ingredients list. Despite the extensive body of research on the subject, the Codex Alimentarius guidelines and some national labeling regulations do not address the reporting of such materials in the ingredients lists. Furthermore, there is limited understanding of the short- and long-term effects of novel technological ingredients on human health. The disclosure of industrial processes to modify oils and fats, as well as the raw materials used, is suggested to be made mandatory in the ingredients list, aiming to safeguard consumers' right to information and enhance monitoring efforts.

Declaration of Sweeteners on Food Labels: A Scoping Review of Methodological Issues and Prevalence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published a guideline that recommends against the use of nonsugar sweeteners. Food labels are a key source of information for consumers, to enable them to make informed decisions regarding the consumption of food additives. However, discrepancies in the concepts and categorizations of sweeteners in labeling recommendations and regulations may influence the results of studies on the prevalence of sweeteners in foods. This study aimed to analyze the scientific literature related to the declaration of sweeteners on food labels. Focus was placed on methodological issues related to data collection and analysis, including the categorization of sweeteners, as well as on the reported prevalence of sweetener declaration on food labels. A scoping review was conducted based on a search for terms related to sweeteners, food labeling, and packaged foods. Nine studies, published between 2012 and 2022, were included. Variability among studies was observed in terms of data collection methods, approaches for identifying the sweeteners declared on food labels, the criteria for categorizing sweeteners, and the definitions underlying the categorization. Moreover, there was a lack of standardization in the bibliographic sources consulted in formulating the categorization, and failure to report specific sources, leading to heterogeneity in the substances regarded as sweeteners. The prevalence of the declaration of sweeteners in food labeling ranged from less than 1% to 43.6%. The findings of the present work emphasize the need to standardize the methodologies used for the identification of sweeteners declared on food labels and the criteria for their categorization.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE USE OF ARABIC TRANSLATION IN HALAL PRODUCT LABELLING BY SMES

In the context of globalization and the increasing demand for halal products, the challenge of producing consistent and culturally appropriate translations emerges as a critical issue in this study. Inaccuracies in translation can lead to errors or misunderstandings about the halal status of products, particularly when specific terms lack direct equivalents in Arabic or when the intended meaning is distorted through translation. Accurate translation is, therefore, essential to ensure compliance with halal standards and to build consumer trust. This study aims to identify the role of Arabic translation in ensuring compliance with halal standards in the labelling of products produced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, it seeks to analyze the challenges faced by SMEs in ensuring the accuracy of Arabic translations on halal product labels. The study employs a qualitative approach, with a literature review as the primary method. Sources include journals, articles, and documents related to halal labelling and Arabic translation. Data analysis was conducted by examining key themes and concepts related to the use of translations in halal product labelling, providing a comprehensive understanding of the role and challenges faced by SMEs in ensuring the accuracy of Arabic translations on halal product labels. The findings reveal that Arabic translation on halal product labelling plays a vital role in building trust among Muslim consumers and ensuring compliance with international halal standards. However, challenges exist in maintaining translation accuracy and cultural relevance, as well as navigating the variations in halal labelling regulations across international markets. Hence, improvements in standardization and linguistic precision are necessary to support the assurance of halal product status in a more consistent and effective manner.

Climatic Specific Energy Rating Analysis of Outdoor PV Field Data

ABSTRACTThe IEC 61853 standard series define the Climatic Specific Energy Rating (CSER), which can be used within the photovoltaic (PV) community as a reliable and accurate tool to differentiate between PV modules performance for different reference climates. The CSER is assumed to represent the expected PV device operation under real‐world conditions. The rating model combines a set of measurements on modules with a numerical approach. So far, research has mainly focused on the implementation of algorithms to determine the input parameters and to calculate the CSER values based on indoor measurement performance data. There is lack of information and technical specification how to obtain these parameters from outdoor PV field data in natural sunlight. In the present study, we first estimated the CSER parameter (according to IEC 61853‐3) for a PV module tested indoor using input values measured or defined according to IEC 61853‐1&2 with associated measurement uncertainties. Then, we analysed long‐term outdoor field data of the same device for a period of 36 consecutive months in order to understand how the length and seasonality of the data acquisition period impacts the reliability of irradiance and temperature power matrix values, particularly in relation to CSER calculations. Uncertainties estimations for the outdoor procedure have been also defined for rating accuracy. The PV outdoor performance has been validated against its indoor counterpart. The results concluded that a period of 9 or 12 months provides a good compromise between accuracy, time and cost‐effectiveness. The time period may be reduced to 6 months if the meteorological conditions are sufficiently diverse in this time frame. The study might raise worthwhile discussion regarding the revision of the IEC 61853‐1 for determining the (G‐T) matrix of PV modules from outdoor measurements under natural sunlight. It could enhance important insights to the PV community since the CSER parameter may become a compulsory requirement for each PV module produced, imported or sold in Europe if the potential European Union (EU) Ecodesign Directive and the Energy Labelling Regulation will be implemented.

Relative effect of warning labels on food choice: Case study with four product categories after the implementation of the Brazilian regulation

Warning labels have been implemented in different countries around the globe, including Brazil, to encourage healthier food choices. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the relative effect of different warning labels, brands and nutrition marketing claims on the food choice after the implementation of the Brazilian front-of package nutrition labelling regulation. Packages of four categories were designed considering the following factors: brand (familiar vs. unfamiliar), nutritional warning (present or absent), textual nutrition marketing claims (present or absent) and visual nutritional marketing claims (present or absent). A total of 850 Brazilian adults were recruited by a marketing agency. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two experimental conditions: black magnifier (n = 403) and black octagon (n = 447). They completed a choice task involving two out of four product categories: chocolate flavored milk, cookies, granola, and iced tea. The packaging was designed considering four factors: The presence of warning labels encouraged product choice in three of the four categories. However, brand and textual nutrition marketing claims had a larger effect. These results suggest the need to introduce comprehensive packaging regulations to reduce the prevalence of nutrition marketing claims on unhealthy products, as well as communication campaigns to raise awareness of the benefits of taking into account warning labels when making food purchases.

Regulatory Landscape of Cannabis Warning Labels in US States with Legal Retail Nonmedical Cannabis, 2024.

Objectives. To characterize regulatory practices related to nonmedical cannabis warning labels in states across the United States that have legalized retail nonmedical cannabis. Methods. In March 2024, we conducted a content analysis of regulations for nonmedical cannabis warning labels required on product packages in 20 states where, as of March 2024, adults could legally purchase nonmedical cannabis in retail environments. For each state, we examined requirements related to warning label content and characteristics. Results. Required warning label content and characteristics varied widely across states. Only 2 states required a warning about mental health risks (10%) and 2 states required a warning for high potency products on risk of psychosis (10%). No states required front-of-package warning placement, only 2 states required rotating warnings (10%), and 4 states required contrasting colors (20%). Warnings were often verbose (mean = 57 words), vague, and had small or no minimum font size. Conclusions. Opportunities exist for states to improve the alignment of their nonmedical cannabis warning label regulations with evidence that has been generated so far in cannabis effects, cannabis warning efficacy, and warning label design. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S8):S681-S684. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307722).

Evaluating the application of front-of-package labelling regulations to menu labelling in the Canadian restaurant sector using menu food label information and price (Menu-FLIP) 2020 data.

To evaluate the application of front-of-package (FOP) labelling regulations to menu labelling in the Canadian restaurant sector by assessing the proportion of menu items that would be required to display the 'high-in' FOP symbol if the policy were extended to the restaurant sector. Nutrition information of 18 760 menu items was collected from 141 chain restaurants in Canada. Menu items were evaluated using the mandatory FOP labelling regulations promulgated in Canada Gazette II by Health Canada in July of 2022. Chain restaurants with ≥20 establishments in Canada. Canadian chain restaurant menu items including beverages, desserts, entrées, sides and starters. Overall, 77 % of menu items in the Canadian restaurant sector would display a 'high-in' FOP symbol. Among these menu items, 43 % would display 'high-in' one nutrient, 54 % would display 'high-in' two and 3 % would display 'high-in' all three nutrients-of-concern. By nutrient, 52 % were 'high-in' sodium, and 24 and 47 % were 'high-in' total sugars and saturated fat, respectively. Given the poor nutritional quality of restaurant foods, the current regulations, if applied to restaurant foods, would result in most menu items displaying a FOP symbol. Therefore, expanding the Canadian FOP labelling regulations to the restaurant sector can be key to ensuring a healthy food environment for Canadians. Furthermore, menu labelling along with other multi-faceted approaches such as reformulation targets are necessary to improve the dietary intake of Canadians from restaurant foods.

Empowering Global Health Systems to Protect, Promote and Support Optimal Breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a critical public health strategy for optimal child development and maternal health across the life course. The 2021 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study reveals that, despite reductions in mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to suboptimal breastfeeding practices-namely, non-exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months or early discontinuation within the first 2 years-low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to bear a staggering 50-fold higher burden compared to high-income nations. This inequity signals a pressing global health priority. Hence, we propose to address these challenges by first, expanding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) reach through community-driven efforts such as the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) to enhance breastfeeding support in both clinical and community settings; second, embedding breastfeeding counselling within national health and social protection programmes to fill in gaps in culturally competent care, drawing on large scale breastfeeding peer counselling programme experiences like the one being implemented by the US Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); third, improving maternity leave policies and workplace accommodations for breastfeeding women and fourth, stringent regulation of exploitative commercial milk formula (CMF) marketing to combat misinformation and reduce health inequities. Governments must implement strong, evidence-driven policies-such as strict monitoring and regulation of product labelling and digital media marketing-to establish safeguards against the powerful influence of the CMF industry. Collectively, these strategies will enhance breastfeeding outcomes, reduce health disparities and drive progress across countries towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Diminished negative emotion regulation through affect labeling and reappraisal: insights from functional near infrared spectroscopy on lateral prefrontal cortex activation

BackgroundReappraisal, an emotion regulation strategy, includes reinterpretation and affect labeling involving verbalizing emotions. In general, reappraisal is supported by lateral prefrontal cortical regions, which are also known to underlie cognitive regulation. Other research has shown that affect labeling combined with reappraisal of negative emotions increases lateral prefrontal cortex activity more than reappraisal alone does, suggesting that affect labeling facilitates emotional regulation. However, the influence of affect labeling on the efficacy of reappraisal in reducing subjective negative emotions has not been determined.MethodsIn the experiment, 35 participants (mean age = 28.2 years (SD = 9.63); 12 women and 23 men) viewed vignettes that aroused negative emotion. Then, they rated subjective negative emotions as baseline values. Following the baseline rating, the task branched into four conditions, combining affect labeling and emotion regulation factors. In the affect-labeling factor, participants selected emotional labels consistent with their own emotions or not. Regarding the emotion regulation factor, participants engaged in reappraisal to regulate their negative emotions. Throughout the experiment, the intensity of negative emotions was measured three times, mirroring the baseline measurement. Oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) signal values in prefrontal cortex regions during tasks were measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy.ResultsDifferences between the subjective negative emotion ratings at baseline and after reappraisal indicated that reappraisal significantly reduced negative emotion with and without affect labeling (t (1173.05) = 29.97, p < 0.001), and the combination of affect labeling and reappraisal was less effective in regulating negative emotions at the subjective level than reappraisal without affect labeling (t (1172.03) = 3.15, p < 0.01). Additionally, there was an increase in OxyHb signal in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal and right ventral prefrontal cortices while participants performed reappraisal with affect labeling.ConclusionOur findings suggest that affect labeling, when performed prior to cognitive reappraisal, may influence the process of negative emotion regulation in complex ways. The interaction between affect labeling and reappraisal appears to modulate prefrontal cortex activity, potentially reflecting changes in cognitive processing during emotion regulation attempts. These results highlight the need for further investigation into the intricate relationship between different emotion regulation strategies.

Deep learning assisted, smartphone based universal Multi-RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-G4 portable chip for simultaneous detection of CaMV35S and NOS

Portable and fast genetically modified organisms (GMOs) detection can achieve accurate labeling and precise regulation. Here, we build a universal and intelligent Multi-RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-G4 detection chip platform for simultaneous CaMV35S and NOS detection. The use of multiple primer pairs for RPA enables one-tube amplification of dual targets. Independent cleavage of Cas12a for dual targets was controlled by flow amplification products into the respective detection chambers containing CaMV35S crRNA and NOS crRNA. The detection results are obtained based that uncut G4 in solution can produce peroxidase activity to catalyze ABTS2− making the negative result approaching dark green. The multi-RPA-CRISRP/Cas12a-G4 colorimetric platform achieves a 1 aM LOD for CaMV35S and NOS in 55 min. The Yolov5 deep learning algorithm and the analysis of gray values was trained and developed for colorimetric detection that is more sensitive than the naked eye. These algorithms are integrated into a smartphone app to automate the reading of test results. The 100% accuracy of colorimetry detection and the 93.3% accuracy of portable chip detection for rice and soy sauce samples demonstrate our method can rapidly and inexpensively detect samples of GMOs across species. Overall, our efficient, low-cost portable Multi-RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-G4 detection platform coupled with deep learning algorithms enables portable GMOs detection with automated signal readout.

Global landscape of nicotine and tobacco products additives policies

IntroductionProduct design is a key tobacco industry strategy to recruit consumers and hinder cessation. An important technology in tobacco product design is the use of additives including those that create...

Examining the role of industry lobbying on Canadian front-of-pack labelling regulations.

Health Canada recently issued a Marketing Authorization to expand the eligibility of the dairy-related exemption for Canadian front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) regulations. The 2024 Marketing Authorization exempts dairy-related products that are a 'source of calcium,' rather than only 'high in' calcium as previously regulated, from displaying a 'High in' front-of-pack nutrition symbol, regardless of their saturated fat and sodium levels. The Marketing Authorization, heavily influenced by the food industry, lacks strong scientific evidence to support its adoption. Although there is a high prevalence of inadequate calcium intakes among Canadians, the Marketing Authorization will exempt more dairy-related products that are significant contributors of saturated fat and sodium for Canadians. While providing very little calcium, many dairy-related products, particularly cheese products, are 'high in' saturated fat and/or sodium. Expanding the exemption criteria will allow dairy-related products with little health benefits to be reflected as 'healthy' (i.e., not display a 'High in' nutrition symbol), blunting the potential impact that FOPL regulations could have on improving the diets of Canadians. We strongly urge Health Canada to reconsider the expansion of the exemption and encourage others to conduct policy-relevant research and participate in the policy decision-making process to promote evidence-informed public health policies for the health of Canadians.

Psychometric properties of the Functional Literacy Questionnaire among Portuguese adolescents.

Robust tools to assess self-reported adolescent functional health literacy are lacking. In Portugal, the only available tool is the Newest Vital Sign for Portuguese adolescents (NVS-PTeen), though presenting modest validity and reliability properties. A new instrument-the Functional Literacy Questionnaire (FLiQ)-was developed, inspired by the NVS-PTeen, but following the European Regulation for food labeling and targeting a balanced assessment of numeracy and verbal comprehension skills. This study aimed to evaluate several psychometric properties of the FLiQ when administered to Portuguese adolescents. We conducted a longitudinal observational study with three phases: (1) Delphi panel with health literacy experts; (2) self-administration of FLiQ and NVS-PTeen to adolescents in 7th to 9th grades; and (3) re-administration of FLiQ four weeks after baseline, to the same group of participants. FLiQ's content validity was excellent, with an Average-Content Validity Index of .95. Overall, 372 adolescents (50.3% girls) aged between 12-17 years (median age: 13) participated in the study. Of these, 150 completed the test-retest assessment. Internal consistency was good (Kuder-Richardson Fornula-20 = .70), as well as test-retest reliability (Intraclass Coefficient Correlation = .82). FLiQ total score was weakly correlated with the school year (rho = .174), and moderately with Portuguese (rho = .348) and Mathematics grades (rho = .333). Factor analysis indicated a two-dimension structure, reflecting numeracy and verbal comprehension skills. Item response theory analysis revealed differences in difficulty and discrimination capacity among items, all with adequate fit values. FLiQ is a valid and reliable tool. It can be used to monitor functional health literacy levels in Portuguese adolescents.

Post-approval changes in Labelling regulations in the United States, European Union and Canada

The review “Post-approval changes in Labelling Regulations in the United States, Europe and Canada” goes into the details and consequences of post-approval changes in labeling regulations for pharmaceutical products. It covers the concept of post-approval changes and outlines the key areas of changes, such as various elements of product lifecycle management, market access, innovation, risk control, and legal compliance for manufacturers in the United States, Europe, and Canada. Apart from that, the abstract discusses the similarities and differences in labeling regulations across the regions in authority, structure, and the affected changes. In summary, the abstract outlines the complexities and effects of post-approval-related changes in labeling regulations concerning the pharmaceutical industry in multiple jurisdictions and the challenges encountered in implementing them. More specifically, the issues include differing regulatory frameworks and varying interpretations; operator compliance, safety evaluation and management; consolidation approaches; and the influence of digitalization and automation as a pivotal and minor player.

Nutritional quality of diet characterized by the Nutri-Score profiling system and cardiovascular disease risk: a prospective study in 7 European countries

Nutri-Score is a scientifically validated 5-color front-of-pack nutrition label reflecting the nutrient profile of foods. It has been implemented in several European countries on a voluntary basis, pending the revision of the European labeling regulation. Hence, scientific evidence is needed regarding the ability of the nutrient profile underlying the Nutri-Score (uNS-NPS, 2023-updated version) to characterize healthier foods. Our objective was therefore to study the prospective association between the nutritional quality of diet characterized by the uNS-NPS and the risk of cardiovascular diseases in a large European population. Our analyses included 345,533 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study (EPIC, 1992-2010, 7 European countries). Food intakes were assessed at baseline using country-specific dietary questionnaires. The uNS-NPS was calculated as a continuous scale for each food, based on its 100g content of energy, sugars, saturated fatty acids, salt, fibre, and protein and percentage content of fruit, vegetables, and pulses. A dietary index was derived at the individual level (uNS-NPS DI: energy-weighted mean of uNS-NPS scores of all foods consumed by a participant). Cardiovascular events during follow-up were retrieved using country-specific methods (self-report, registry data). Multi-adjusted Cox models were computed. Overall, 16,214 first cardiovascular events were reported (median follow-up: 12.3 years; 4,103,133 person-years). The consumption of foods with a higher uNS-NPS score (reflecting a lower overall nutritional quality of diet) was associated with higher risks of total cardiovascular events (Hazards Ratio (HR) for an increment of 1 standard deviation: 1.03 (95% Confidence Interval 1.01-1.05)), especially myocardial infarction (HR=1.03 (1.01-1.07)), and stroke (HR=1.04 (1.01-1.07)). In this large prospective study among European adults, a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases (total and several subtypes) was observed in individuals consuming a diet with a lower nutritional value, as graded by the uNS-NPS score. This brings new evidence on the relevance of the updated nutrient profile underlying the Nutri-Score to characterize foods with a healthier nutrient profile. EPIC-CVD was supported by EU FP7, ERC, UK MRC, British Heart Foundation, and UK NIHR.

Probabilistic Mathematical Model for Dietary Consumption and Exposure Assessment in the Absence of Data from National Nutrition Surveys: A Case Study on Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Noncommunicable diseases, which account for 71% of annual global deaths, necessitate the implementation of targeted legislative measures to reduce exposure to risk factors, particularly those related to nutrition. Accurately assessing these risk factors is challenging owing to infrequent national surveys, high costs, and uncertainties from human behavior. Thus, addressing these issues is crucial. This study aimed to develop a model for estimating dietary exposure. Methods: Our study utilizes the National Nutrient Consumption (NNC) model, which employs a probabilistic and cost-effective approach. This model leverages open data and focuses on supply chain dynamics and uncertainties, integrating import, production, and stock levels. It estimates commodity supply, consumption, and nutrient intake using predictive coefficients from historical data. Model accuracy was assessed using mean absolute error, correlation coefficient, and one-sample t test. The findings were evaluated against the recommended intake outlined in the Technical Regulation of Food Labeling (SFDA.FD 2233). Results: The model demonstrated high accuracy in estimating dietary intake, with minimal error margins. For both genders, the 50th percentile nutrient exposure exceeded the reference values – with males consuming 3,310 kcal (+65%), 144 g of total fat (+105%), 33.8 g of saturated fat (+69%), 86 g of free sugar (+72%), and 2,545 mg of sodium daily (+0.06%); females consumed 3,306 kcal (+65%), 143 g of total fat (+104%), 33.5 g of saturated fat (+67%), 86 g of free sugar (72%), and 2,500 mg of sodium (+4%). Conclusion: The model, both cost-effective and accurate, identifies elevated nutritional risk factors in Saudi Arabia, informing targeted health policies.

Species authentication and conservation challenges in Chinese fish maw market using Mini-DNA barcoding

Fish maws, derived from the swim bladders of fish, are valued for their high collagen content and nutritional benefits, leading to significant market demand, especially in Asia. This study investigates the species authenticity of fish maw products using mini-DNA barcoding technology to address issues of mislabeling and substitution. Out of 350 samples, 347 were successfully sequenced, revealing a high mislabeling rate of 51.01% among identified species. Species such as Diodon liturosus and Diodon hystrix were found, posing significant health risks due to the presence of tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin. The study also highlights the conservation implications of this market, with endangered species like Totoaba macdonaldi being illicitly traded. These findings underscore the urgent need for accurate species identification, stringent labeling regulations, and enhanced fishery management to protect endangered species and ensure consumer safety. This research advocates for robust international cooperation and reporting to combat illegal fishing and trade, promoting the sustainable development of fish populations and marine ecosystem health.

Life can’t be too sweet: the effects of sugar-sweetened beverage labelling on the government’s health battle

Singapore’s recent mandatory labelling regulations for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) aim to guide consumer choices towards healthier options, which mandates labels on SSBs regarded as less healthy and encourages voluntary labelling for healthier SSBs. We focus on market competition between two SSB firms under different labelling schemes. Surprisingly, we find that mandatory labelling increases the consumption of less-healthy SSBs while reducing healthier SSBs consumption when the health risk is low. This counterintuitive result is attributed to the revelation of the lower-than-expected health risk, triggering a heterogeneity-reducing effect that heightens competition and price sensitivity. The lower retail price of less-healthy SSBs increases the demand. The heterogeneity-reducing effect also enables voluntary labelling of healthier SSBs to alleviate the adverse impact of mandatory labelling on consumer surplus and social welfare. Additionally, the imposition of SSB taxes effectively reduces consumption but challenges consumer surplus and compromises the efficacy of mandatory labelling.

Decoding Seafood: Multi-Marker Metabarcoding for Authenticating Processed Seafood.

Given the recognized nutritional value of fish and shifting consumer lifestyles, processed seafood has become increasingly prevalent, comprising a significant portion of global food production. Although current European Union labeling regulations do not require species declaration for these products, food business operators often voluntarily provide this information on ingredient lists. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches are currently the most effective methods for verifying the accuracy of species declarations on processed seafood labels. This study examined the species composition of 20 processed seafood products, each labeled as containing a single species, using two DNA metabarcoding markers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA genes. The combined use of these markers revealed that the majority of the products contained multiple species. Furthermore, two products were found to be mislabeled, as the declared species were not detected. These findings underscore that NGS is a robust technique that could be adopted to support routine food industry activities and official control programs, thereby enhancing the 'From Boat to Plate' strategy and combating fraudulent practices in the complex fisheries supply chain.