Food, Nutrition & Regulation

Researchers at the University of Parma in Italy fermented chickpea dough with each of four lactic acid bacteria and evaluated its texture, protein structure, volatile compounds, allergenicity and antioxidant capacity together. Every strain improved dough structure, and allergenicity fell to a moderate degree.

A review that Indian researchers published in Food and Chemical Toxicology summarises the types of cyanotoxins found in supplements derived from cyanobacteria and microalgae and their organ-specific toxicity mechanisms, and points out that data on chronic low-dose exposure and bioavailability are lacking.

In the Dutch Lifelines cohort of 105,812 people followed for a median of 13.25 years, a higher Mediterranean lifestyle score, covering diet, activity, rest and social activity, was linked to lower all-cause mortality, and this association appeared regardless of income and education level.

In a dose-response meta-analysis pooling data on 8,819,894 adults from 51 prospective cohort studies, ultraprocessed food intake was consistently associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, depression and death. However, the certainty of the evidence is "low to moderate."

Researchers at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague screened 101 samples, including plant protein isolates, extruded products and veggie burgers, for 57 mycotoxins and 48 plant alkaloids using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Tenuazonic acid reached up to 2,800 μg/kg, and atropine and scopolamine were also found in soy.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) NDA Panel concluded that synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) of at least 98% purity is safe as a food supplement at up to 2 mg a day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and people under 25 are excluded, and safety for people taking medication has not been established.

The European Food Safety Authority concluded that aspartame, acesulfame K and the salt of the two raise no safety concern at current uses and use levels.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalised the withdrawal of its authorisation for the petroleum-based food colour Orange B and proposed withdrawing the authorisation for Citrus Red No. 2, used to colour orange peels. The basis is abandonment, meaning industry no longer uses them, not a new safety determination.

BBzP, DBP and DINP were all placed in Group 2B, but the evidence for cancer in humans was 'inadequate' for all three.

In a randomised trial of 200 patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent cardioversion, those who kept drinking coffee had fewer recurrences.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified two herbicides as Group 2A and the fungicide vinclozolin as Group 2B. This is a classification of the strength of evidence, not of the size of risk.

In a double-blind trial of dialysis patients, the group taking high-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplements had fewer major cardiovascular events than the placebo group.

Of two diets that followed the same nutrition guidance, the minimally processed diet produced about twice the weight loss of the ultra-processed diet.

Intermittent fasting, such as time-restricted eating and alternate-day fasting, showed no large difference from daily calorie reduction in improving weight and metabolic markers.

People who ate a wide range of flavonoid-containing foods, such as tea, berries and apples, had a lower risk of death and major chronic diseases.

In more than 100,000 people followed for up to 30 years, those who adhered best to plant-centred diets were more likely to age healthily.

Autopsy samples showed higher plastic concentrations in the brain than in the liver or kidney, but the authors said they do not show a causal health effect.

A validation study found that Py-GC-MS, widely used to analyse human samples, is not yet suitable for quantifying polyethylene and PVC in blood.

Under the Delaney Clause, the U.S. FDA revoked authorisation for Red No. 3 in food and oral drugs.

In an analysis of 390,000 U.S. adults without chronic disease, no association was seen between taking multivitamins and a lower risk of death.

Lead, cadmium, arsenic and other metals were measured in tampons from 14 brands, but whether they are actually absorbed by the body has not yet been confirmed.

Observational and experimental results suggest that the sugar alcohol sweetener xylitol raises platelet reactivity and is associated with cardiovascular event risk.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalised its first legally enforceable tap water standards for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

In long-term follow-up of a randomised trial of about 36,000 postmenopausal women, calcium and vitamin D supplementation had no effect on overall mortality.

In a follow-up of 257 carotid surgery patients, the group with plastics in their plaques had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death.

In a post hoc analysis of a randomised trial in Chinese nursing homes, the incidence of hypertension in older adults using the salt substitute was about half that of the regular salt group.

In an analysis of a U.S. nurses cohort, protein intake in midlife, especially plant protein, was associated with health status in later life.