A new report from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) calls on governments in Europe and the rest of the world to protect child rights and adopt measures to restrict junk food marketing.
Popular RTD cocktails and pre-mixed spirits contain ‘unnecessarily high and hidden sugar and calories’, according to UK campaign group Action on Sugar. It says such drinks should reformulate in line with the parameters set out by the sugar tax - or else...
Confectionery giant Mars, Inc. has patented a shelf-stable mousse it says maintains a ‘light’ and ‘soft’ mouthfeel even when stored at an ambient temperature.
Our latest news and views from Brussels looks at food waste regulation in France, sugar reduction in the UK, excessive salt intake in Spain, and EFSA’s concern over THC levels in hemp products.
The UK government’s food and farming minister has insisted that environmental, animal welfare and safety standards will not be put on the line in trade deals struck after Brexit. But calls for a food standards commission to scrutinise future agreements...
Campaigners are calling out food manufacturers producing ‘incredibly salty bacon’, after a survey revealed some bacon products contain significantly more salt than competitor brands.
Lidl GB has pledged to remove cartoon characters from its own brand cereal boxes, prompting campaigners to ask: ‘If they can do it, why can’t everyone else?’
By Rachel Arthur, Elaine Watson, Niamh Michail, Gary Scattergood, Flora Southey
Sugar taxes continue to hit the headlines, so we take a spin around the globe to look at some of the markets where taxes have been introduced or are under debate.
Yesterday (11 December), MEPs convened to discuss Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plans to achieve climate neutrality in the EU by 2050. FoodNavigator outlines some initial responses to the Green Deal, from the European Consumer Organisation,...
Efforts to transform the food system and tackle the impact of food production on climate took centre stage at the UN climate change conference, COP25, in Madrid this week. But while various actors were keen to flag the work already being undertaken, the...
The term ‘balsamico’ is not restricted to balsamic vinegar produced in Modena, Italy, according to a ruling handed down by the European Court of Justice (EJC).
A new report claims the food sector can keep one step ahead of fast-shifting consumer demand and tap into new markets via diverse and inclusive workplace initiatives.
By Katia Merten-Lentz and Manon Ombredane, legal experts with international law firm Keller and Heckman
Nowadays the list of ingredients on food labels tends to be shorter and the names simpler. But, putting aside this ‘clean label’ trend, does the average consumer still notice the claims appearing on the labels of daily food? Katia Merten-Lentz and Manon...
As the newly-elected von der Leyen Commission enters European Parliament, we take a look at food and agricultural plans and regulations moving into 2020. We speak to David Pineda Ereño, Advisor on Strategy, Policy and Regulation at DPE International...
With trendy plant-based alternatives such as soy milk or almond milk, consumers often find a health halo around indulgent coffee shop drinks. But festive favourites such as hot chocolate and sweetly-spiced lattes contain ‘huge’ amounts of sugar, says...
The Netherlands has thrown its weight behind the Nutri-Score nutritional labelling system, suggesting that of the three schemes used in Europe – Keyhole, Traffic Lights and Nutri-Score – it is the ‘best’ at promoting healthy choices.
Cocoa companies, NGOs and Fairtrade issue joint statement for human rights and environmental due diligence requirements to be urgently imposed by European Union.
The European Commission refers Denmark to court over ‘Feta’ failings, the EU pumps €200m into agri-food promotion, and the USDA approves a proposal to market Irish beef in the US as ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’. FoodNavigator brings you the latest news and...
Shea margarine start-up The Flower Farm has been advised to adjust communication suggesting the palm oil industry, as a whole, is responsible for deforestation in Southeast Asia. Co-founder Marcel van Wing tells FoodNavigator the statement was ‘pretty...
Little tangible progress has been made in the past year by the UK’s largest supermarkets towards reducing their use of throwaway plastics, says a report which calls for a focus on innovative solutions.
Leveraging climate finance to scale climate-smart rice production is the ‘cornerstone’ of global food security and ‘urgently needed’ to avert civil unrest, a new report by Earth Security Group (ESG) has found.
The publication of dietary reference values (DRVs) for sodium and chloride brings to a close ten years of work that began with a request by the European Commission to update values last set in the 1990s.
Germany’s federal government now confirms that cannabidiol (CBD) is to be classified as novel food citing an absence of evidence of its consumption before 15 May 1997.
Salt is the forgotten killer, according to campaign group Action on Salt. It is calling on Public Health England to allocate ‘sufficient resources to immediately resuscitate’ the UK salt reduction programme.
Food companies must ‘put their necks on the line’ to address the climate emergency, according to Olam co-founder and Group CEO Sunny George Verghese, who is calling for public disclosure of carbon, water, land, and waste footprints.
The EU and China have concluded negotiations on a bilateral agreement to protect 100 European Geographical Indications in China; and 100 Chinese Geographical Indications in the EU.
By Katia Merten-Lentz and Manon Ombredane, legal experts at Keller and Heckman
How have the current EU regulations on health and nutrition claims evolved and where are they likely to go? Katia Merten-Lentz and Manon Ombredane, legal experts at law firm Keller and Heckman, weigh in.
Smallholders account for almost 40% of global palm oil production, yet just a fraction is certified sustainable. The RSPO is looking to change this with a new sustainable palm oil standard for low acreage farmers.
Our latest edition of EU news looks at a ‘worrying decline of food controls’ among member states, calls to ban controversial ingredient E171 and the practice of CO2 stunning of pigs, while a Lithuanian beer’s ‘original and exceptional characteristics’...
ProVeg International is calling on national governments to end ‘unfair’ VAT on plant milks, which it claims fiscally favours dairy products over their plant-based alternatives.
This latest edition of FoodNavigator's Brussels Bulletin covers the UK Prime Minister's Brexit deal, a new environmental watchdog in the UK, and an open consultation on pesticide residue in food.
A UK study argues that if government policy made menu labelling mandatory, it could encourage restaurants to produce healthier options, leading to public health benefits.
Obesity prevention is an ‘excellent investment’, claims the OECD, which lists potential financial gains of national obesity programmes – including reformulation – in its latest report.
‘Children are drowning in a flood of unhealthy food’, says England’s outgoing chief medical officer Dame Professor Sally Davies, who is pushing for urgent regulation to tackle obesity.
Dairy UK and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) have both slammed a no-deal tariff review by the UK government that they say could cost the industry £1.3bn in lost exports.
FoodNavigator’s latest rundown of the wheelings and dealings in Brussels come as an in-coming group of nominees set out their plans and priorities before the European Parliament ahead of joining the College of Commissioners. Some telling things were said...
Europe's food and drink sector ‘deeply regrets’ the US decision to slap 25% tariffs on EU agri-food products including Scotch whisky, Italian cheese, Spanish olives, German coffee and British biscuits.
The European Commission has fined French food cooperative Cecab and Dutch manufacturer Coroos upwards of €30m for their involvement in a canned vegetable cartel. Whistle-blower Bonduelle, which was also embroiled, has been granted ‘full immunity’.
Germany’s food minister Julia Klöckner has backed the controversial NutriScore system as Germany plans to establish a national voluntary food labelling scheme in the coming year.
There is a lack of robust evidence to confirm link between meat eating as part of a healthy diet and the development of Western diseases, according to a paper that contends there are a wide range of benefits delivered by meat that are not always easily...
Public Health England’s latest progress report on the food and drink industry’s sugar cutting efforts reveal significant changes in areas where the sugar tax applies, but a disappointing lack of progress with the voluntary sugar reduction programme.
In the latest run down of EU news, FoodDrinkEurope is to sign a declaration to tackle plastic waste, the EC publishes its annual food safety report and Austria deals a blow to the landmark Mercosur trade deal.
A fifth of Britain’s fresh produce is imported from countries at risk of climate breakdown, while 40% of UK’s food is currently imported from overseas, says a report warning of food shortages.
By Katia Merten-Lentz, partner at Keller and Heckman
Cannabidiol (‘CBD’) has burst onto the world stage in recent years, and the EU is no exception. Katia Merten-Lentz, partner at Keller and Heckman, looks at the ingredient’s legal status.
By determining international principles to guide interactions between the food industry and scientists, researchers hope to stamp out conflict of interest risk.
Some fresh food supplies will fall in the UK while “critical dependencies for the food chain” such as key ingredients “may be in shorter supply” in the event of a no-deal Brexit, UK government planning documents have confirmed.
