Differences in culture, language and enforcement policies between European countries mean consumers are failing to understand health claims on food packets.
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.
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) says the widespread belief that consuming excess dairy, especially cheese and yogurt, leads to health problems has no consistent evidence to support it.
UK firm Seaweed & Co's wild harvested knotted kelp (Ascophyllum) beats spirulina for iodine, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and can reduce salt in packaged foods or replace artificial smoke flavours, it says.
An EFSA-approved health claim relating to infant immune system function will spread consumer confidence, a nutritionist says, although a pro-breast milk feeding group warns the claim could be abused.
Barry Callebaut's R&D department talks to ConfectioneryNews after winning a blood flow health claim for cocoa flavanols in dark chocolate and cocoa beverages.
Frustrated food and drink manufacturers are considering sensory claims in preference to health claims; few of which have been approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Making a health claim on a product could lead consumers to think it is less natural and less tasty, according to a new study which also puts a dent in the so-called ‘healthy halo’.
A Japanese bid to introduce a new black bean extract to Europe to block the absorption of carbohydrates has received a boost, as the FSA has issued a draft positive opinion.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is ironing out the
creases before finalising its proposed health and nutrition claims
standard with nutrient profiling and percentage daily intakes up
for comment.
Consuming products containing sucralose, such as gum and soft
drinks, can reduce the risk of dental caries, according to the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has approved the use of a
dental health claim for the sweetener.
Sweden's voluntary health claims code has approved a claim for a
cholesterol-lowering cheese made by dairy firm
Skanemejerier,reports Dominique Patton.
New European regulations on health claims approved today in
Brussels have been criticised by the UK food industry for
restricting consumer choice and burdening the industry with yet
more red tape.
