Regulation & Legislation

Moy Park was fined £866,650 for an accident involving a forklift truck

Moy Park fined for forklift accident

By Gwen Ridler

Poultry processor Moy Park has been fined more than £850,000, after a worker suffered life-changing injuries in a forklift truck accident at its Ashbourne site.

Products of animal origin will be able to display the EC identification mark for a transitional period

‘No control’ on export labelling rules post-Brexit: Defra

By Noli Dinkovski

The Government is aiming “wherever possible” to allow a transition period for food labelling changes if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March – but warned it had “no control” over how changes will be enforced overseas for exporters.

A relaxation of modified atmosphere-packed foods legislation has been urged by the industry

Call for FSA to relax MAP guidance

By Rick Pendrous

Food safety experts have called for a relaxation of guidance governing the controls on vacuum and modified atmosphere-packed (MAP) chilled foods, which has been claimed to place UK manufacturers at a distinct disadvantage compared with overseas competitors.

Three in four people believe restaurants should display calorie information on menus, says Diabetes UK

Improve nutrition labelling, restaurants told

By Noli Dinkovski

Restaurants, cafés and takeaways have been urged to help consumers adopt healthier eating, after it was revealed that more than three in five adults (61%) struggled to find information on the nutritional content of food out of the home.

The ASA has banned a Red Bull ad for making unsolicited health claims

Red Bull ad banned by advertising watchdog

By Gwen Ridler

An advert for Red Bull energy drinks has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), after it was deemed to be making unsolicited health claims.

The FDF accused the Government of using its consultation on food promotions to distract industry from the real issues surrounding Brexit

FDF slams restrictions on food and drink promotions

By Gwen Ridler

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has deemed the launch of the Government’s consultation on plans to restrict promotions of food and drink products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) as “grossly insensitive” and a “monumental distraction”.

Mislabelling accounted for 1,741 (19%) of the 9,148 failed food standards tests in Scotland since 2013

Better food labelling urged by Scots MSP

By Noli Dinkovski

A Scottish MSP has called for tougher labelling legislation after a freedom of information request found almost one-in-five failed food standards tests in the country were down to mislabelling.

The Government's immigration strategy threatens to cut access to labour, warned the FDF

New immigration rules threaten food labour

By Gwen Ridler

New immigration controls proposed by the Government to encourage the flow of skilled workers into the country threaten to hike up hiring prices and cut access to labour, according to members of the food and drink industry.

The Government is planning ‘realistic but ambitious goals’ to achieve further salt reduction

‘Mixed progress’ on salt reduction targets: PHE

By Noli Dinkovski

The food industry has achieved “mixed progress” in meeting the latest Government salt reduction targets, according to Public Health England’s (PHE’s) first assessment since the introduction of voluntary targets in 2006.

Sainsbury's and Asda may have underestimated the enormity of the investigation into their proposed merger

Sainsbury’s and Asda succeed in extending merger timetable

By Rod Addy

Sainsbury’s and Asda have won their appeal against the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) timeline to respond to submitted evidence on their proposed merger, securing a further 11 days over Christmas to reply.

Melachrino: ‘Minimising contamination and trip hazards, together with using a good slip-resistant floor, is key’

Opinion

Addressing slip and trip hazards in the workplace

By Andy Melachrino

Andy Melachrino, chair of the Food and Drink Industries Group at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), addresses the need for manufacturers to minimise contamination and trip hazards in their workplaces.

The British Soft Drinks Association said it was committed to supporting the responsible sale of energy drinks

Not enough evidence for energy drink ban: committee

By Noli Dinkovski

A ban on the sale of energy drinks to children could be justified on “societal concerns”, but not on statistical evidence alone, according to a Parliamentary Committee report.

Business urged to review revised workplace exposure limits for 31 chemical substances might impact their organisation and employees

Warning on substance limits change issued

By Aidan Fortune

Testing, inspection and certification provider Bureau Veritas has urged employers to carefully consider how the recent introduction of new and revised workplace exposure limits (WELs) for 31 chemical substances might impact their organisation and employees.

Each month we pose your questions and queries to our food and drink industry legal experts

Legal Q&A

Food and drink legal questions answered

By Gwen Ridler

From investigations by local authorities, to regulations surrounding the use of bispenol A, our legal experts answer your pressing food and drink questions and queries.

The introduction of a meat tax to promote healthy eating was criticised by Wales’ meat industry body

Meat tax ‘a sledgehammer to break a nut’

By Gwen Ridler

The introduction of a tax on meat to save lives and reduce healthcare costs would be like using ‘a sledgehammer to break a nut’, a national meat trade body has claimed.

The FDF welcomed the Government’s more targeted approach to tackling health and obesity

Trade body welcomes Government approach to health issues

By Gwen Ridler

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has welcomed the Government’s targeted approach to tackling health inequalities, covered in the policy paper published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Ocado and B&M are the latest retailers to fall under the Groceries Supply Code of Practice

Groceries Code protects Ocado suppliers

By Gwen Ridler

Food and drink suppliers to retailers Ocado and B&M will now fall under the protection of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), preventing the companies from abusing their commercial power.

The sale of meat classification body MLCSL to Hallmark Veterinary Compliance Services is reportedly on track

MLCSL sale on track

By Aidan Fortune

The sale of the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board’s (AHDB's) meat and livestock subsidiary is expected to be completed in the next few months.

Barwheys Dairy is to close citing financial and regulatory pressures

Barwheys Dairy announces closure

By Aidan Fortune

Ayrshire-based cheesemaker Barwheys Dairy has revealed that it is to close its doors in early 2019, citing increased regulatory inspections as one of the main reasons.

Geographical indicators and intellectual property are the top concerns posed to our experts this month

Legal Q&A

Your food manufacturing legal questions answered

By Gwen Ridler

Each month we pose your pressing food and drink legal questions to our expert panel. This month, we explore the future of geographical indications after Brexit and protecting your intellectual property.

The European Court of Justice is considering weather halal and kosher meat can be labelled as organic

No barrier for organic kosher and halal meat

By Aidan Fortune

The European Court of Justice is considering whether organic labels can be used on meat and poultry products from livestock killed under religious rules, such as halal and kosher, without pre-stunning, on the advice of one its advisors.

Can a smell be copyrighted, and where should you turn when selecting forklift suppliers?

Legal Q&A

Your food and drink legal questions answered

By Gwen Ridler

From copyrighting taste and smell, to choosing the right forklift suppliers, our experts answer your pressing food and drink legal questions.

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