News & Insights
Jack Block: Farmers Worry
Farmers, ranchers, and the whole ag industry have a lot to worry about. Start with farm income – our income...
Jack Block: North Korea
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block A few months ago, did we ever think that direct talks between President...
FDA Caffeine Regulations for Dietary Supplements
The Office of Dietary Supplement Programs within CFSAN at FDA has prepared and published guidance for industry, warning that powdered...
John Block: Uncertain Times
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Farmers and ranchers across the U.S. are under a lot of stress as...
Part 1: The House Farm Bill Mark-Up
This week on Wednesday, April 18, the full House Agriculture Committee met and successfully voted to report its version of...
John Block: Debt
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Here is what I read in the Wall Street Journal: “Deficit financing has...
Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2018 Likely Reveals Consumer Groups’ Priorities for FDA Nutrition Innovation Strategy – May Spur More Class Action Lawsuits
The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2018 (H.R. 5425) was introduced on April 4, 2018, by Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr....
John Block: Trade
Pick up a paper or turn on the TV – It’s all about trade. So that’s the subject I’m going...
Oh, SNAP! Maryland Federal Court Judge Enters Summary Judgment Against Baltimore Food Stamp Retailer Without Permitting Any Discovery
In a highly unusual decision, a Federal District Court judge in Maryland granted summary judgment in a food stamp licensing...
John Block: Where To From Here?
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block I don’t think we have any idea where the Trump tariffs on steel...
John Block: Tariffs
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Just when I was so comfortable with President Trump’s follow through with so...
Dietary Guidelines 2020
By Marshall Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse The drafting of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) has started….and it’s...
Dietary Fiber Permissible in Nutrition/Supplement Facts
Dietary fiber is a macronutrient that permissibly may be declared in the Nutrition Facts on a conventional food’s label, and...
How the Federal Government Can Get Biotech Regulation Right
By Nina Fedoroff and Alison Van Eenennaam, as published in the Des Moines Register In his speech at the recent...
John Block: Creativity
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block If we are anything in this country, we are creative – from the...
John Block: Down on the Farm
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block I have been on the farm in Illinois the last few days. As...
Variety May Be the Spice of Life, But Not as Much as the Food and Nutrition Service Would Like in the Food Stamp Program
Congress Bars FNS from Enforcing Portions of its Enhancing Retailer Standards in SNAP Final Rule Federal agencies are viewed by...
Relocation of U.S. Codex Office Makes Sense
Food companies and industry trade associations have overwhelmingly supported a decision by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to move...
John Block: Opportunities and Challenges
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block I have a number of subjects to put on the table today. To...
Groundhog Day at the CPSC
In the 1993 classic movie, Groundhog Day, the protagonist is caught in a time loop and forced to repeat things...