Sustainability

Is RSPO certification becoming irrelevant?

By Niamh Michail

Companies are increasingly demanding certified palm oil using criteria that are stricter than current RSPO standards – does the mean the RSPO certification is in danger of becoming irrelevant?

Wessanen reports strong Q3 results

Wessanen reports strong Q3 results

By Niamh Michail

Dutch food group Wessanen has reported strong Q3 results which it puts down to a consumer shift away from ‘Big Food’ towards healthy and sustainable food.

Industry must boost social protection for rural farmers: FAO

By Niamh Michail

Rural poverty is the theme of this year’s World Food Day but agriculture in itself is not enough to end hunger, says the FAO – social protection is vital to protecting farmers which means industry can get involved. 

European organic sector in another regulation status quo

Another status quo for the European organic sector?

By Niamh Michail

EU organic legislation was supposed to dynamise the sector – but with the agricultural committee’s proposal yesterday deemed another status quo by organic groups, is future investment in the organic sector being compromised by the uncertainty?

Meat-free alternatives - brought to you by the meat companies

Meat-free alternatives - brought to you by the meat companies

By Niamh Michail

Sensing a shift in consumer eating habits and attitudes, several German meat companies are leading the way in innovation and NPD for meat substitutes: “We will be the first and last generation that eats meat every day,” says one.

There are no systematically collected data on animal and human consumption of insects for us to look at, says EFSA

EFSA delivers long-awaited safety assessment despite data craters

EFSA on insects: Pathogens harmful to humans most likely from farming

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said insect pathogens potentially harmful to humans are most likely to come from rearing and processing not intrinsically associated with the insect itself – but huge gaps in data remain. 

UK agency launches €13.5 m reformulation competition

By Niamh Michail

The UK government is calling on businesses, scientists and agricultural producers to submit their proposals for salt, sugar, fat and fibre reformulation with the chance to win up to €13.5 m in funding.

UK's organic standards up for public consultation

By Niamh Michail

The Soil Association is updating its organic standards to make them more practical and transparent and is calling on the public to give its opinion in an open consultation.

More than half of EU countries set to opt out of GM

By Niamh Michail

Sixteen countries have requested to opt out of GM cultivation in Europe – but while the Commission says the opt-out clause is necessary for such a complex issue, campaigners are calling it ‘Kafkaesque’ and one scientist warns Europe is walking 'an...

Firmenich awarded for sustainable credentials

Firmenich awarded for sustainable credentials

By Niamh Michail

Bérangère Magarinos-Ruchat, vice president of sustainability partnerships at global flavour firm Firmenich has won “Head of Sustainability” at the Ethical Corporation's Responsible Business Awards.

UK government calls for more local labelling

UK government calls for more local labelling

By Niamh Michail

The UK government is calling on manufacturers to use local county of origin labelling on its products – but unlike in Italy such measures would be voluntary.

‘No success model’ for new protein ingredients

‘No success model’ for new protein ingredients

By Eliot Beer

Novel protein ingredients face a difficult future with too many barriers to entry to make success likely – but there are brighter prospects for Quorn and some potential for insect protein in animal feed, says Giract.

The flavour ingredient bypasses the need for grapefruit, making it more reproducible and affordable, according to Evolva

Evolva introduces fermentation-derived nootkatone

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Swiss biotechnology firm Evolva has introduced its nootkatone citrus flavour and fragrance ingredient – made from fermentation rather than traditional extraction from grapefruit skin.

Increasingly, the definition of 'food security' is expanding to refer to a secure food supply for all - not only the undernourished

Beyond malnutrition: Food security means food supply

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Food security is not just about hunger and poverty – it must move into the mainstream as the challenge of feeding nine billion people comes into sharper focus, according to the European Commission.

Italian politicians defend palm oil

Italian politicians defend palm oil

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Italian politicians have submitted two resolutions to parliament defending palm oil in the face of anti-palm oil campaigns, calling it a raw material of fundamental importance for Italian industry.

Seaweed follows in the footsteps of 'global trailblazer' Scotch whiskey

Could Scottish seaweed be the next Scotch whisky?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Scottish seaweed industry seems set to boom as the country's government prepares an expansion policy and company Mara Seaweed seeks over €700,000 to take its condiments global.

UK law to fight slavery in big firm supply chains

UK law to fight slavery in big firm supply chains

By Niamh Michail

New legislation will require all large firms in the UK to report on their fight against slavery in the supply chain - but experts say the 'opt out' clause means its success could be limited.

The challenges of selling insects in Europe

The challenges of selling insects in Europe

By Niamh Michail

EU regulation is confusing but with growing consumer demand, it's still an attractive market. FoodNavigator spoke to five companies about the challenges of selling insects in Europe.

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