A Taste of Wellness for Savoury and Snacks
Givaudan
Highlights of the Commission's 2004 'Legislative and Work Programme?include a proposal for a revised directive on additives other than colours and sweeteners, a communication on health strategy, a proposal for a directive on nutritional labelling and a proposal to amend the Novel Foods Regulation.
According to the EU's monthly publication, the Consumer Voice there is also a list of approximately 36 legislative proposals that need to be adopted by the Commission before May. All this work will have to take place in parallel to preparing for, then adapting to, European enlargement.
Ireland, holding the reins of European presidency, has also laid out a number of important actions in the area of health and consumer protection over the next six months.
Work on the food safety side will focus on bringing forward the proposals on the Hygiene Package, official controls on food and animal feed and maximum residue levels for plant protection products, writes the Consumer Voice. An additional priority will be to secure agreement on the Commission's proposals for strengthening controls on the welfare of animals during transport.
Finally, Robert Madelin has been appointed by the Commission as the new Director-General for Health and Consumer Protection. Previously a Director in the Directorate-General for Trade (1997-2003), Madelin took up office on the 15 January this year.