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EFSA issues guidance on GM animal risk assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued guidance on how to evaluate the introduction of genetically modified (GM) animals in the European Union.

News in brief

EU to ban flavouring compound

The European Commission and member states have voted to ban a flavouring compound, following an EFSA opinion on its safety published last week, which found that the ingredient was of...

Food industry welcomes EU package to tackle VAT fraud

Industry trade group FoodDrinkEurope has welcomed an anti-VAT fraud package under discussion in the EU, saying that the food and drink sector is greatly impacted by VAT tax fraudsters.

Could tax breaks for healthy food sales work better than food taxes?

Incentivising the sale of healthy foods at the supermarket checkout could be more effective than food taxation for improving food choices, suggests a letter published in the BMJ.

Health groups urge action on nutrient profiling

A group of European health organisations has urged European Commission president José Manuel Barroso to issue a proposal on nutrient profiling as part of a wider EU goal to reduce...

EFSA finds flavouring substance safety concern

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that a flavouring compound used to give a burnt, nutty flavour to confectionery, baked goods and some savoury products is a safety...

Live from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Global healthcare systems are failing; nutrition policy needs to change now, says leading academic

Nations and populations are in peril of being swamped by the cost of their healthcare systems unless a severe nutrition policy rethink can occur, says a leading academic.

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is among non-EU products with PGI status

EU urges protected origin status for more African, Caribbean and Pacific foods

The European Commission has urged increased global use of its PGI (protected geographical indication) system to increase trade in foods from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, while encouraging sustainable...

EU ministers agree on fisheries policy reform

European fisheries ministers have agreed on an overhaul of the Common Fisheries Policy, with the hope that it will end decades of arguing over fishing quotas and help rebuild fish...

FSA pumps £500,000 into food safety funding

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has injected £500,000 into funding food safety, authenticity and traceability research in collaboration with the Technology Strategy Board (TSB).

Guest article

EU health claims evolution: A submission rethink

Now that the dust has settled on the health claims submission process we should all be very clear on the rules of engagement. Well kind of, says Nigel Baldwin, chief...

The position paper comes on the heels of Denmark scrapping its soft drink tax

Industry calls on EU governments to reject food taxes

EU governments should refrain from ‘discriminatory’ food taxes and take a more holistic approach to obesity prevention, according to a joint position paper from FoodDrinkEurope and trade union organisation EFFAT.

The proposal includes more unannounced inspections of food facilities

EC proposes reduced legislation in wake of horse meat crisis

The European Commission has proposed reduced legislation and tougher fines among a raft of measures to protect against food fraud in light of the recent horse meat scandal.

Study suggests compatibility between organic and health claims

Organic food brands should not be afraid of using health claims to market their products, as a new study suggests the two concepts are not as incompatible as the industry...

EU pesticide vote: Europe imposes ban on bee-harming chemical

EU Member States have voted in favour of continent-wide suspension of neonicotinoid pesticides that have been linked to bee deaths.

Consultant: ‘No need to fear EU novel foods laws’

The EU’s long-winded novel foods rules have long been viewed as an innovation-crimping legal structure, but a stream-lining of the process means companies should not fear it, a consultant says....

‘Still failing to protect children’: New report slams UK advertising standards

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) are still failing when it comes to protecting children from the online marketing of junk food, according to a new report from the Children’s...

The soft drink tax has applied to sugary drinks in Denmark since the 1930s

Denmark to scrap decades-old soft drink tax

Denmark has announced that it will abolish its soft drink tax as part of a raft of measures intended to create jobs and boost the economy.

Could the WTO overturn EU health claim laws?

Aggrieved companies and  trade groups have already mounted legal actions against the EU’s strict health claim laws – they are in process – but the regulation’s workings could face fresh...

Salt reduction policies may also involve trade flow in the future

What’s next for salt reduction policy?

European salt reduction initiatives have come a long way over the past few years – but what’s working, and what are the next steps?

EFSA has recommended that neonicotinoids should only be used on crops 'not attractive to honey bees'

Lobbying watchdog accuses industry of ‘furious lobbying’ against insecticide ban

Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) – an NGO that monitors lobbying activities – has accused Syngenta and Bayer of ‘furious lobbying’ against a European proposal to suspend use of three neonicotinoid...

Healthy logo: Netherlands ‘Choices’ logo confirmed as first government-backed scheme in EU

The Dutch version of the Choices logo has been confirmed as the first government-backed healthy logo scheme to gain EU and Member State support.

Lower salt consumption would improve heart health on a population level, WHO says

WHO outlines variety of salt reduction strategies across Europe

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a new report outlining European salt reduction strategies – and while most countries are following EU guidelines, there are still big differences between policies.

News in brief

UK’s Food Standards Agency invites views on simplified food safety legislation

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has opened a consultation on proposed legislation of food additives, flavourings, enzymes and extraction solvents, and is seeking views from industry.

EFSA is expected to finalise its opinion by next month

EFSA completes aspartame consultation, says it needs to ‘better explain’ risk assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has finished its consultation on the safety of aspartame with a public meeting held on Tuesday with representatives of national food safety authorities, EU...