Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe US edition

Campaign aims to stop GDA inclusion in labelling law

13-Mar-2009 - A campaign that strongly opposes the inclusion of GDA-type nutritional labelling in the proposed new food information legislation has been launched by a consortium of health and industry groups in Denmark.

News in brief

Doctors block choc fat tax motion

13-Mar-2009 - Doctors in Scotland voted narrowly against a motion to introduce a fat tax on chocolate, proposed by a medic who is concerned that chocolate has moved beyond a treat food.

FDF defends industry against fat tax for chocolate

12-Mar-2009 - As the prospect of a fat tax on unhealthy food is raised once more, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has spoken out on behalf of the industry against calls for a tax on chocolate.

Spotlight again on cloned animals

12-Mar-2009 - A review of cloning is underway at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following a request from the European Commission for further advice on the implications of the technology for food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment.

EFSA publishes final nano risk opinion

06-Mar-2009 - The European Food Safety Authority has concluded its assessment of the potential risks of nanotechnologies for food and feed, stating that a cautious, case-by-case approach is needed as many uncertainties remain over its safe use.

News in brief

More firms make FSA Southampton-free list

03-Mar-2009 - The UK’s Food Standards Agency has added to its listing of companies that do not use the Southampton-six colours, including Cool Drinks company, Lakeland, Montgomeryshire Natural Spring Water products, Plas Farm Ltd, Rubicon Drinks, and Sunny Delight Beverage Company.

New no-vote over lifting GM crop bans

03-Mar-2009 - Environment ministers yesterday voted against a proposal to force Hungary and Austria to lift bans on the growing of genetically modified crops, indicating that the great European rift over GM is still wide.

Guest article

UK labelling proposal under the spotlight

02-Mar-2009 - Owen Warnock, partner and food law expert at international law firm Eversheds, checks the fine print on calls for legislation in the UK regarding country of origin meat labelling.

News in brief

Banana proposal 3 years too late for Latin America

25-Feb-2009 - A new EU proposal to lower tariffs that Latin American banana producers have to pay looks set to be rejected, as a better deal was proposed last July but subsequently withdrawn.

Brussels quells fears from German bakers on salt levels

25-Feb-2009 - The Commission is not prohibiting any bread and has no intention to regulate the salt level in bread, says EU spokesperson in a bid to stem reports that German bread is under attack from 'Brussels'.

Agri MEPs on board with some industry labelling concerns

20-Feb-2009 - A vote on the proposed food information legislation by the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (Agri) this week found sense in abolishing the 3mm rule and national schemes, but has stirred new industry concerns on country of origin labelling.

MEPs reject inclusion of food in Eco-label amendments

19-Feb-2009 - European Commission proposals to include food products in an extended Eco-label scheme have been rejected by MEPs this week.

News in brief

Cranberry group seeks 'cran'sparency

19-Feb-2009 - Three European cranberry extract suppliers have formed a new association with the explicit aim of clarifying standards governing the manner in which proanthocyanidins (PACs) content is communicated to consumers.

Dispatches from FDF labelling debate

What consumers make of food labels

18-Feb-2009 - Recent research has shed new light on how consumers understand food labels - and use them to inform their shopping decisions. But questions still remain over what will make them switch to healthier food choices.

EFSA cans cranberry health claim

17-Feb-2009 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a negative opinion to global cranberry leader Ocean Spray for an article 14 health claim relating consumption of cranberry and urinary tract infection (UTI) in women.

News in brief

CIAA takes GDA info to Parliament

16-Feb-2009 - The CIAA will be discussing nutrition labelling directly with MEPs this week, with a stand and nutritionists corner at the European Parliament.

Calls for stricter meat product origin labelling

16-Feb-2009 - A bid to change the law for country-of-origin labeling of meat is to be launched in the UK by the Conservative Party which, if successful, would affect processed foods containing as little as 10 per cent meat.

Dispatches from FDF labelling debate

What labelling scheme(s) should Europe allow?

13-Feb-2009 - Debate is heating up about the best way to present nutrition information on food labels throughout the EU as lawmakers hammer out the details of new legislation. The Food and Drink Federation gives a view from industry.

Dispatches from FDF labelling debate

Labelling law costs for SMEs raise concerns

12-Feb-2009 - The proposed food information regulation would pose big problems for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) if adopted in its present shape, said speakers at the FDF labelling debate – despite the Commission having carried out an impact assessment.

Dispatches from FDF labelling debate

Rapporteur retains role for industry labelling schemes

12-Feb-2009 - The EU Parliament rapporteur on the proposed food information regulation does see a place for nutrition labelling schemes chosen by manufacturers and retailers – but not for national schemes propounded by Member State governments to run alongside the Europe-wide system.

M&S wins teacake tax row

09-Feb-2009 - UK retailer Marks & Spencer has won a protracted legal battle against the VAT office that had classified its marshmallow teacakes as chocolate biscuits.

FSA lists products free of Southampton colours

03-Feb-2009 - The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a list of food products that have been voluntarily reformulated to remove six food colours associated with hyperactivity in young children.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: PART 2

End to prescribed quantities to drive new bread loaf size in 2009

30-Jan-2009 - A recent law from Brussels has thrown up new opportunities for different loaf sizes for UK bakers, with 2009 set to witness an escalation in new product development related to the weight of pre-packaged breads.

Flavour firm to investigate understanding of natural wording

27-Jan-2009 - As the industry prepares for new wording to describe natural flavours, research is underway to investigate what consumers will understand by the new terms.