Nutrient profiling models should be underscored by sound science,
be transparent, and be validated with respect to healthy diets,
says a new paper that sets out the steps to developing and
validating such models.
Owen Warnock, partner and food law expert at international law firm
Eversheds, unpicks the new EU labelling proposal and assesses what
it may mean for food manufacturers.
The European Food Safety Authority is expecting to complete its
evaluation of the safety of 2,800 flavouring substances by April to
allow for a positive list to be established, but is seeking for
more information from industry.
New legislation passed in Germany on Friday has paved the way for
increased biotech innovation and easier cultivation of genetically
modified (GM) crops.
The food industry can expect to see progress in novel foods
regulation, the Food Improvement Agents Package (FIAP) and the
labelling regulation during Slovenia's presidency of the European
presidency, according to an advisor.
The German ruling coalition has agreed to allow foods containing
certain GM additives or using GM processing aids to still be
labelled as non-GM if there is no alternative, in a bid to
encourage use of non-GM labels.
As phase two of the UK's new rules on TV advertising of unhealthy
foods targeted at children came into effect this week, the food
industry is preparing to lock horns with campaigners over a 9pm
watershed.
Two scientific papers which have raised question marks over the
safety of fortifying flour with folic acid to prevent neural tube
defects in pregnancies provide no concern, UK doctors have said.
The European Commission yesterday outlined reforms the bloc's
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), proposing further
measures aimed at weaning farmers off handouts and boosting
commodity supplies.
Proposals on the suggested amounts of artificial colourings in food
supplements are being drawn up for Codex because the current limits
are too low, according to the International Alliance for
Dietary/Food Supplement Associations...
The decision on whether to force Austria to lift its national ban
on genetically modified maize now lies in the hands of the European
Commission, after EU environment ministers failed to agree at last
week's Council meeting.
EU regulators and processors say they are examining the use of diacetyl for foods, following reports of hundreds of US workers falling ill from a deadly lung disease linked to the inhalation of the popcorn flavouring chemical.
The import of American peanuts by European countries is now simpler
and quicker because the European Commission has approved the
pre-export aflatoxin tests carried out by the USA.
With new legislation covering flavourings is a hot topic for debate
by the European Parliament and Council, a leading consultant set
out some of the main flashpoints of debate and potential challenges
for the industry.
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producing countries
have said they are deeply concerned about the amendments to the EU
sugar reform, which brings to an end "preferential access" to
Europe's market.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has announced it will
prioritise its own review of the six colours at the heart of the
recent study linking certain artificial additives with children's
hyperactivity.
The UK's Food Standards Agency should ensure appropriate
consideration is given to allergens by the European Commission, as
part of if its review of food labelling, say peers.
The European Commission will now make the final decision on whether
to allow three new GM maize's onto the EU market after agricultural
ministers failed to reach a majority vote in Brussels yesterday.
Whole milk will not be blacklisted as a product unsuitable to be
advertised on children's television in the UK, the Food Standards
Agency has revealed.
EU member countries are concerned about the feasibility of
companies paying fees to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
for vetting ingredients, packaging and food contact materials for
use in the bloc.
The European Commission has issued a paper to Member States
outlining the next step for the setting of maximum mineral and
vitamin levels across the bloc - with many highlighted for
exemption on the grounds of no evident safety concerns.
Kemin Health has filed a patent infringement suit against
OmniActive Health Technologies for methods pertaining to the
isolation and purification of lutein and lutein compositions.
The European Commission has announced that it will approve BASF's
Amflora genetically modified potato to be grown in Europe, the
first authorisation for the growing of a GM crop in Europe since
1998.
The European Commission has decided that the food colouring Red 2G
should be banned, following recent reports of the potential
carcinogenic nature of the additive.
UK food manufacturers and retailers presented thoughts on the
practical implications of the EU review of food labelling
legislation this week, stressing the need for simple food labels
and efforts to stem demands for more and more...
The European Parliament this week voted through four regulations
relating to food ingredients - on authorisation procedure,
additives, enzymes and flavourings - with notable amendments aimed
at providing a heightened level of consumer...
The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) GMO panel has no safety concerns after reviewing data from French scientists suggesting toxicity concerns in rats fed the MON863 variety of GM maize from Monsanto.
The board of the UK's Food Standards Agency yesterday gave the
go-ahead for the recommendation on mandatory folic acid
fortification be made to health ministers, but it remains unclear
whether the nutrient will be added to flour...
The European Food Standards Authority has issued opinions on the
likelihood of certain ingredients and additives causing allergic
reactions, underscoring the importance of including full scientific
data in dossiers to allow the panel...
Europe continues to lag behind in the use of irradiation, with only
10 member states approving facilities to process foods, according
to the latest European Commission report released yesterday.
New voluntary screening and voluntary 'No GMO!' labelling is
driving up food prices in Moscow, according to reports, with food
manufacturers complaining that the voluntary certification is
becoming mandatory for companies...
The European Food Standards Authority has today published its draft
guidance document for the submission of applications under the new
nutrition and health claims regulation, giving the clearest insight
yet of the impact the legislation...
A European court has said that the marketing of the sweetener
Splenda is misleading to consumers, and has ordered that its
advertising slogans be ceased.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) estimates that a major citrus
fruit scam in Italy has defrauded the EU budget of up to €50m in EC
aid for the processing of certain fruits.
Two weeks ago world leaders extended the deadline on the
beleaguered Doha trade round to the end of this year. Exhortations
not to let the opportunity pass have ensued, but big barriers must
still be overcome before a positive conclusion...
EU agriculture minister Mariann Fischer Boal is willing to consider
a transition period for the adoption of EU fruit and vegetable
reforms, according to reports, which would act as a cushion for the
processing sector.
EFSA's GMO panel has reconfirmed its opinion that the use of the
nptII gene as a selectionable marker in GM plants for food or feed
poses no risk to human or animal health or the environment.
New UK government proposals to allow up to 0.9 per cent GM in
organic food without it being labelled threatens a highly lucrative
industry, claim campaigners.
The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations
(IADSA) is highlighting the need for industry to engage in debate
over levels of additives in supplements under Codex guidelines to
prevent the setting of levels too...
