Look ahead: What does 2025 have in store for Europe's food and drink?
2024 proved another turbulent year for EMEA food and drink
Policy
UPF lawsuit threat: how likely is one in the EU?
A lawsuit in the US has targeted several large food manufacturers, alleging the products they make are designed to be addictive. Could such a lawsuit occur in Europe?
EUDR delay a blessing as more companies than believed ‘not ready’
A 12-month delay to EUDR came at the right time as many companies, despite being convinced they were ready, hadn’t correctly prepared.
EU publishes proposed changes to CAP and unfair trading practices directive
The European Commission has published proposed changes that aim to improve farmers' bargaining positions.
Why was the UN plastic pollution treaty postponed?
Talks in South Korea to develop an international framework on plastic pollution were pushed to next year. Why?
EUDR ‘no risk’ status cancelled and 12 month delay reconfirmed
The controversial EUDR no risk status has been provisionally binned in a ‘trilogue’ between the European Council, Commission and Parliament.
Red tape won’t put UK businesses off EU food and drink imports
UK businesses dependent on EU food and drink imports will put up with additional Brexit red tape to ensure continued supplies, with many set to increase imports
Front-of-pack labelling ‘must be mandatory’ urges sector head
Governments must work harder to push food and drink manufacturers to reduce sugar in their products and enforce front-of-pack labelling on the sector.
COP29: Was food sector progress made?
COP29 has drawn to a close. How significant was its progress towards making food more sustainable?
Raft of expensive food labelling requirements could hit sector
The European Commission is expected to favour a series of new food labelling recommendations set to pile additional costs onto food and drink makers.
Putting sugar reduction on front-of-pack labels
Sugar reduction is possible in confectionery, UK charity Action on Sugar confirms, with efforts to lower sugar prompting transparent ingredient labelling in 2025.
EUDR ‘no risk’ status at risk as member states object
The European Council has raised a serious grievance about the no risk amendment to the EUDR, passed by the European Parliament, in last week’s vote to delay the regulation by a year.
Europe’s fast-food majors failing on poultry welfare progress
Fast-food giants across Europe are failing foul on poultry welfare measures, with few making recent progress and others moving backwards on previous gains, a damning new report criticises.
Saccharin daily intake threshold almost doubles post EFSA review
Safe daily intake limits for saccharin have been almost doubled by the European Food Safety Authority following a new review on the sweetener.
EUDR delay venom and outrage: the aftermath of the vote
EUDR’s 12-month delay has been met with condemnation from organisations across the world following yesterday's controversial vote.
EUDR delay confirmed after European Parliament vote
EUDR implementation will be delayed a year, the European Parliament has confirmed following a vote overcoming the last barrier to the delay's approval.
Trump trade tariffs: Brexit Britain could fare better than EU
Donald Trump’s threatening trade tariffs loom over global economies a week on from the US general election, though countries like the UK may be less impacted than the EU.
Meat and dairy reduction ‘vital’ to climate health – new report warns
The meat and plant-based industries have locked horns as a new report cites diet change as a key tool in the fight to control global warming and even reverse the climate crisis.
Inside the EUDR country benchmarking
Country benchmarking could affect due diligence requirements, and therefore the complexity of EUDR compliance. How do these risk classifications work?
Trump's trade tariffs could drive EU businesses to set up US sites
The US’s trade policies could have worldwide implications, not least on the European food and beverage sector which could be better off setting up shop in America.
Opinion
Is Trump stoking an EU/US trade war?
Will Trump’s rebooted presidency bring about a transatlantic trade war or is it all hot air? Fake news or not, the returning president has made worrying noises – from crippling tariffs to climate ignorance – that are sending markets in a spin.
UK considers extending sugar tax to milk-based drinks
Milk-based drinks are currently exempt from the UK's Soft Drinks Industry Levy: but the tax's scope could be extended to include sugary milkshakes, dairy drinks and RTD coffee.
Ozempic, nutri-scores and junk food bans would ‘halve obesity’
Obesity could be halved by the end of the decade if there was better access to weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and junk food businesses faced tighter advertising and nutritional reporting controls.
Will COP29 focus on food?
As COP29 garners global attention, its focus on food systems continues to grow.
Lack of imagination to novel food blocks – food and drink industry challenges
Red tape, lacking investment and negative connotations around new and novel food types are just three of many issues standing in the way of Europe’s food and drink sector progress, experts have warned.
Food industry attacked as ‘accountability’ taxes called for
Food manufacturers could be bound by a list of measures compiled in a bid to better regulate and hold industry accountable for unhealthy products and their consequences to consumer health.
EUDR delay: The winners and losers
The proposed EUDR delay could be a relief for many if approved, but its mooting has also been controversial. Who are the winners and losers of the delay?
Protected cheeses and vineyards receive €6.8m EC ‘resilience’ funding
Protected cheeses and world-renowned vineyards will take a share of the European Commission’s new €380m support package to help build climate resilience.
EUDR extension greenlit by European Council as 200 NGOs call for go-ahead
The European Council has greenlit the Commission’s proposals to delay EUDR by 12 months, despite protests from hundreds of environmental and other groups calling for its immediate implementation.
EUDR and getting it right: Four lessons from the RSPO
Broad unpreparedness led the world to rebel against EUDR’s enforcement. Now the clock could be reset for another 12 months, what can the global supply chain do to reach compliance?
New EU novel food rules countdown begins
Novel foods in Europe will be subject to new safety assessments early next year as the European Food Safety Authority updates processes to better reflect the changing landscape and potentially speed up approvals.
Why shoppers are turning towards costly organic food and drink
More consumers are buying pricier organic food and drink, despite continuing cost-of-living pressures, with sales expected to rocket as governments push to make organic farming central to future sustainability strategies.
EUDR: Answering the key questions
On the day the Commission announced it was advising a delay to EUDR, new FAQs were released to provide further clarity on the regulation.
UK Government to create regulatory sandbox for cultivated meat
With £1.6m funding, the new regulatory sandbox aims to streamline the novel food application process of cultivated meat in the UK.
Monk fruit ‘no longer novel’ across EU
Monk fruit decoctions are no longer classified as a novel food across the European Union, now the final country has scrubbed the ingredient from its list.
Why has the ECJ blocked France’s plant-based name ban?
The ECJ has ruled that France cannot ban ‘meaty’ names for meat-free substitutes.
Visible relief: Palm oil industry welcomes announcement of EUDR postponement – but troubles not over yet
The palm oil and other agrifood sectors may have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the European Commission (EC) announcement that EUDR enforcement will be delayed – but experts are warning that the root problems are yet to be resolved.
Will the proposal to delay EUDR be passed?
Following months of rumours and speculation, the European Commission has proposed a 12-month delay to the current EUDR deadline. So, will the proposal be passed and what does this mean for stakeholders?
EUDR: Inside the guidance
On the day the EUDR was delayed, the EC released guidance, aiming to clarify some of the key elements of the regulation.
Future Food-Tech 2024
Alt meat’s slow progress: Who’s to blame, government or business?
Food-tech industry leaders have turned the table and asked who is responsible for the sluggish pace at which alternative proteins gain legislative approval in Europe.
EUDR U-turn as European Commission proposes delay
The European Commission has backtracked on European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation with a 12-month extension proposal.
Why did the food industry oppose ‘not for EU’ labelling in GB?
Plans to extend the ‘not for EU’ labelling across the whole of Great Britain have been dropped after opposition from the food industry.
EUDR: Are Unilever, Nestlé, Mars, Mondelēz & Danone ready?
As the clock ticks down three months to go until EUDR, FoodNavigator reviews how ready food and drink giants like Unilever, Mondelēz International and Danone are for the industry-shaking regulation.
FAO's livestock emissions report draws cutting criticism
Academics and civil society reiterate their concerns about an FAO report on reductions of dietary emissions which, they suggest, is misleading.
Three months to EUDR – will there be a delay?
The EUDR deadline is now just 91 days away. But is industry ready and will the EU be forced to delay? Here's the latest on the polarising piece of legislation.
Who is the EC’s new Fisheries and Oceans commissioner Costas Kadis?
The EU has announced that Cypriot politician, Costas Kadis, will be the new Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans. How will his prior experience inform his new role?
Who is the EC’s new health and Animal Welfare commissioner Olivér Várhelyi?
The EU has appointed Hungarian politician Olivér Várhelyi as its new Health and Animal Welfare commissioner. But who is he and how will he make an impact?
Flood-hit European farmers set to receive €120m
Farmers in countries worst affected by extreme rain and weather this this year could receive a package of support worth over €119m from the European Commission.
Governments urged to push reusable packaging policies
Local governments are being pressed to push reusable packaging mandates on food and drink businesses across European towns and cities.
Who is the EC's new food & agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen?
The new European Commission has been announced. Who is the new food and agriculture commissioner, and what does he believe?