Global production of non-original Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano cheeses has surpassed the production volume of Italian originals thanks to the spread of imitations across all continents.

The global beverages industry could experience a value loss of around USD430.8 billion if plain packaging regulations are extended to cover its products worldwide, according to the findings of a new report that explores the potential global ramifications of new plain packaging restrictions on alcohol, sugary drinks, confectionery and salty snack products.

Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on imports of hatching eggs and day-old-chicks from several countries, including Denmark, Italy and Russia.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health has ordered the imposition of a blanket ban on advertising for the least healthy sugar sweetened beverages and is even considering banning their sale altogether. Singapore has one of the developed world’s highest diabetes rates.

A much-improved performance by Janusz Wojciechowski saw Poland’s EU agriculture Commissioner-designate convince members of the European Parliament’s AGRI committee that he is the right person for the job, following a second hearing last week.

Corrected USDA ag trade data revealed a monthly trade surplus in August rather than a deficit. Meanwhile, there is rising optimism about prospects for ongoing high-level US-China trade talks and the discovery of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) has led to calls for a pause in imports of Mexican tomatoes.

Blockchain applications could be used to detect fraudulent products, certify Geographical Indications and even reduce food waste, the European Commission’s research service has found.

Following a decision by an independent World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrator that the United States can impose retaliatory measures worth $7.5 billion over subsidies provided by the EU to Airbus, the US Trade Representative (USTR) will hit selected European food products with a 25% import duty from October 18.

An organisation called the Animal Digestible Food Packaging (ADFP) Initiative is seeking government and industry partners to develop technology it believes could help solve the dual challenges of food waste and litter, making packaging into a resource rather than a liability.