Another PFAS-containing pesticide headed for US registration
By Brian Bienkowski
US regulators are poised to approve a pesticide made with a controversial class of toxic chemicals, stoking concerns of new risks for farms across the country.
Food & Farming
Industry braces for change as feds target synthetic food dyes
By Brian Bienkowski
As synthetic food dyes increasingly come under public and federal scrutiny over health concerns — in part bolstered by the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement — slightly altered flavors in some of Americans’ favorite snacks are just one of the concerns and challenges with switching to dyes made from natural sources.
EPA applauded for easing regulatory “burdens” on farmers using insecticides
By Carey Gillam
Farm groups were cheering moves announced this week by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will alter protections for endangered species to allow for easier use of certain pesticides in agriculture.
As regenerative agriculture gains momentum, report warns of “greenwashing”
By Carey Gillam
Billed as a type of food system that works in harmony with nature, “regenerative” agriculture is gaining popularity in US farm country, garnering praise in books and films and as one of the goals of the Make America Healthy Again movement associated with new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
USDA withdraws proposed rule meant to reduce Salmonella in poultry products
By Shannon Kelleher
Federal regulators on Thursday withdrew a proposed framework for raw poultry products that was introduced under the Biden administration to reduce the spread of Salmonella bacteria, one of the leading pathogens involved in foodborne illness outbreaks.
FDA moves to phase out petroleum-based food dyes
By Brian Bienkowski
Federal health officials announced plans Tuesday to phase out synthetic food dyes made from petroleum, marking a significant shift in how the U.S. regulates chemical additives in food.
Nebraska residents call for tighter insecticide regulations after contamination event
By Shannon Kelleher
More than four years after a massive contamination event tied to pesticide-coated farm seeds rocked a rural Nebraska community, environmental and public health advocates are calling on state officials to remove regulatory exemptions for the coated seeds, and to monitor waterways for the pesticide pollutants.
Syngenta moving to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease
By Carey Gillam
Besieged by thousands of lawsuits alleging that its paraquat weedkiller causes Parkinson’s disease, Syngenta has entered into an agreement aimed at settling large swaths of those claims.
Analysis raises concerns about potential misuse of atrazine weedkiller in US Midwest
By Douglas Main
Corn growers across Midwestern states appear to be flouting regulations aimed at protecting important waterways from contamination with toxic atrazine weedkiller, according to an analysis of satellite imagery and field data that comes as US regulators ponder changes to rules for use of the pesticide.
$2 billion Roundup jury verdict drives down Bayer shares as company seeks law change
By Carey Gillam
A Georgia jury verdict ordering Bayer AG to pay over $2 billion to a man suffering from cancer he blamed on his use of Roundup weed killer comes as that state’s governor weighs whether to sign into law a measure that would effectively bar such cases from going to trial in the future.