Regulation & Legislation

Marmite could be back on Danish shelves in three months...if Unilever applies for permission

Unilever on unauthorised Danish Marmite sales: “We are innocent”

By Shane Starling

Marmite, recently withdrawn from the Danish market after it became apparent the fortified, yeast breakfast spread did not possess a fortified food authorisation under the Scandinavian country’s strict laws, could be back on-market in three months, Danish...

FIR compromise cuts pressure on UK food firms

FIR compromise cuts pressure on UK food firms

By Ben Bouckley

A food law expert says he is surprised by a new compromise on the EU Food Information Regulation that removes the need for food firms to provide front-of-pack nutrient data, but warns that enhanced Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) could still raise...

Denmark puts the squeeze on Marmite? Not necessarily

Denmark: There is no Marmite ban

By Shane Starling

The Danish government has clarified that Marmite is not in fact banned, but merely in need of a marketing authorisation as per European Union health claim rules.

Expert slams 'politicised' nutrition and salt science

Expert slams 'politicised' nutrition and salt science

By Rod Addy

Nutrition is being politicised, with food authorities bowing to pressure from minority interests and lobbyists in areas such as salt reduction at significant risk to consumer health, according to one expert.

FSA recommends graded approach to meat inspection charges

FSA recommends graded approach to meat inspection charges

By Rick Pendrous

The Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) Board today responded to meat industry lobbying by agreeing to recommend that ministers adopt a “tapered” approach to the introduction of meat inspection charges.

Who’s afraid of the big bad grocery adjudicator?

Who’s afraid of the big bad grocery adjudicator?

By Ben Bouckley

BIS today published a draft bill to aimed at “giving teeth” to the groceries supply code that protects suppliers against excessive risks or unexpected costs in dealings with retailers, but the BRC has hit out at what it says is "ill judged"...

'Striking a Balance' Does DEFRA's task force report mark a new regulatory dawn or a missed opportunity?

DEFRA task force has failed fresh produce, FPC

By Ben Bouckley

The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) says that a prominent DEFRA task force appointed to cut red tape for farmers and food processors has ignored oppressive regulations facing its sector.

FDF worries grocery watchdog won't be on guard until 2013

FDF worries grocery watchdog won't be on guard until 2013

By Ben Bouckley

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) says news that the Groceries Code Adjudicator may not start work until mid-2013 will harm innovation in the sector amongst small and medium-sized companies and reduce consumer choice.

FIR is getting bogged down over labelling

COOL wrangles could derail Food Information Regulation

By Rod Addy

Increasing division over food labelling proposals has reignited fears that the entire process of updating the EU Food Information Regulation (FIR) could collapse, wasting years of work and substantial investment by industry.

Pension experts warn new law will increase red tape

Pension experts warn new law will increase red tape

By Freddie Dawson

New legislation coming into force next year, which requires companies to automatically enrol employees in pension schemes, could prove unfairly burdensome on small food companies that have a high staff turnover, pension experts have warned.

Europe gives toothy smile

Europe gives toothy smile

By Rod Addy

Ingredients suppliers have welcomed positive Article 13.1 health claim opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for their products.

Challenge of responsibility

Challenge of responsibility

By Professor Judy Buttriss

Does the Responsibility Deal match the challenges ahead? Strong and enduring partnerships, including enhanced engagement of smaller businesses, will be key to maintained momentum with salt and trans fat reduction.

Stuart: MEPS showing ignorance

COOL discussions expose MEPs’ ignorance about food industry

By Rod Addy

Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) discussions exposed ignorance among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) about the food manufacturing and supply chain, said Nick Stuart, Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery (BCCC) sector group chairman.

MEPs debate 'crazy' food labelling proposals

MEPs debate 'crazy' food labelling proposals

By Graham Holter

One expert has branded the proposed new EU food information legislation “crazy” ahead of a second vote on the issue by Parliament's Environment, Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) tomorrow.

ASA has refused to scratch a free-range egg advert

Chariots of Fire scored egg advert OK with ASA

By Ben Bouckley

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has rejected numerous consumer complaints about a television advert for free-range eggs, which involved chickens running around fields to the theme music from film Chariots of Fire.

Scientists during tasting session

Unilever serves warning on novel foods failure

By Rod Addy

Research and development (R&D) champion Unilever has voiced deep disappointment and frustration over the collapse of talks reviewing the 1997 EU Novel Foods Regulation, claiming it will hamper food and drink manufacturers' innovation plans.

ALP urges food firms to gear up for Agency Worker Regulations

ALP urges food firms to gear up for Agency Worker Regulations

By Rick Pendrous

The Association of Labour Providers (ALP), which represents agencies providing labour in the UK, is urging food companies using agency workers to partner agencies in preparation for the Agency Worker Regulations (ALR).

Novel foods progress may mean removing clones

By Jess Halliday

All is not well down on the novel foods farm. If food innovation in Europe is to thrive anew, MEPs and the Council need to get past the recriminations over the failed talks and remove the troublesome question of cloned foods from the negotiating table.

Cumberland sausage makers hope for higher prices

Cumberland sausage makers hope for higher prices

By Graham Holter

Cumberland sausage producers believe there may be an opportunity to get better prices now that the European Union (EU) has given official recognition to their products.

Bee venom honey maker stung by FSA ruling

Bee venom honey maker stung by FSA ruling

By Ben Bouckley

A producer of honey with added bee venom has described the Food Standards Agency (FSA’s) rejection of UK - and by extension EU - licensing for his product under the novel foods regulation as “hard to rationalise”.

Cornish Stingers: Is it a beer or made wine?

HMRC wine over nettle beer

By Graham Holter

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has driven a Cornish drinks producer to lower the alcoholic strength of its ‘nettle beer’ and stung it with a stiff duty bill, after it decided that the drink should be classified as a wine.

Traditional Cornish Pasty

Will all real Cornish pasties please stand up!

By Ben Bouckley

Cornish pasty producers have welcomed an European Commission (EC) decision to award protected status to products made in the region according to a uniform traditional recipe.

Could a simple amendment to the FIR create a two-tier butter market in the EU?

Manufacturers fret over EU 'defrosted' designation

By Ben Bouckley

Industry concerns are growing about a possible amendment to the EU Food Information Regulation (FIR) that will require all foods frozen, then defrosted before sale, to be labelled ‘defrosted’.

It's time to take the politics out of food ...

It's time to take the politics out of food ...

By Clare Cheney

The media described the recent incident concerning dioxin in pork and egg products from animals fed with dioxin-contaminated feed as ‘a scandal’. But this is compounded by the needless and wasteful slaughter of expensively reared animals and the destruction...

Processors must secure legal egg supplies fast

Processors must secure legal egg supplies fast

By Rod Addy

UK manufacturers have been warned they must switch caged egg supplies now to legitimate sources ahead of changes to EU rules from next year or face serious consequences.

'No added salt' breakthrough on nutrition claims

'No added salt' breakthrough on nutrition claims

By Elaine Watson

The European Commission (EC) has finally addressed the thorny issue of nutrition claims that remain widely-used but are now technically illegal under the health claims Regulation, a year behind schedule.

Probiotic health claims: Reasons to be cheerful?

Probiotic health claims: Reasons to be cheerful?

By Rick Pendrous

Last week's meeting between industry stakeholders and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on gut health claims has left Danisco feeling 'slightly more positive', although many firms were left feeling disappointed by the lack of specific...

Goji berries: Narrowly escaped novel foods process

Efficacy of novel food should balance risks

By Rick Pendrous

Food companies want the potential benefits of novel foodstuffs to be weighed against their food safety risks when they are being considered for approval by the regulatory authorities.

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