WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advocating for enhanced regulations concerning ultra-processed foods (UPFs) within school meal programs. The letter underscores the importance of creating definitions and guidelines that can assist in elevating food standards across educational institutions. In the letter, CUSD outlines its commitm more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The Enzyme Technical Association has issued a public comment letter addressed to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), expressing concerns regarding the characterization of "ultra-processed foods" (UPFs) in light of the agencies' Request for Information. The organization represents manufacturers and marketers of enzyme products across the Americas and has been a key entity in shaping industry regulations since 1970. In the l more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- Interstaff Inc., a Third-Party Nurse Staffing Company based in Austin, Texas, has expressed strong disapproval in a public comment letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding its proposed rule to implement a weighted selection process for H-1B cap-subject petitions. The organization advocates for the continuation of a truly random lottery selection system, emphasizing the vital importance of the H-1B program in meeting U.S. healthcare staffing needs. In  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- MBC Brands, McDonald, Tennessee, a supplier of food products for K-12 schools, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The organization emphasized the need for a clear and practical definition of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) that aligns with existing federal meal program standards while maintaining the operational realities of schools. In their more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The National Dairy Council (NDC) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the classification of ultra-processed foods (UPF). In the letter, the NDC emphasizes the critical role that dairy foods play in nutrition and public health and calls for the agency to consider exempting nutrient-dense dairy products from any UPF classification. NDC, a non-profit established by U.S. dairy farmers, argues that an overly broad defin more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- EdTrust, a national nonprofit organization, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education expressing serious concerns regarding the proposed Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) survey component added to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). In their letter, EdTrust highlights potential issues related to the information collection that could disproportionately impact educational institutions, especially th more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The Simply Good Foods Co., Denver, Colorado, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the federal initiative addressing ultra-processed foods and their impact on American health. The consumer-packaged food company, which promotes nutritious snacking under its well-known Atkins, Quest, and OWYN brands, is urging the agency to reconsider the terminology used to classify such foods. In its letter, Simply Good advocates for usi more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation (TFBF) has submitted a public comment letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) addressing the agency's Request for Information concerning the definition of "ultra-processed foods." With a membership of over 690,000, TFBF, the largest general farm organization in Tennessee, represents a diverse range of commodity producers across the state. The organization is eager to contribute an agricultural perspective on food processing and more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The Washington Red Raspberry Commission (WRRC) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the ongoing effort surrounding the classification of "ultra-processed foods." With an operations history dating back to 1976, the WRRC represents around 60 growers in Washington, dedicated to promoting the raspberry industry and ensuring high quality standards for their products. In its le more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The Trenton Special School District, New Jersey, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration addressing the pressing need for regulatory guidance on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in school nutrition programs. Serving approximately 1,400 students daily, the district emphasizes its commitment to providing healthy and nutritious meals that contribute to student well-being and academic success. In its co more ST