Food labelling
Commission tells China to deliver on promise to open up its market
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com that China should deliver on its promise to open up its market, as European companies complain about the difficulties they face in the country.
EU data-based food information tool crosses the border
French EU Datathon winner Open Food Facts plans to expand to other member states in a bid to overcome the language barrier and improve food information within the European union, vice-president Pierre Slamich told EURACTIV.com.
Survey on organic food: What’s behind the hype?
Survey: The demand for organic products is rising in Germany. Is this all just marketing is there more behind this increase in turnover. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Industry questions WHO’s conviction about health impact of sugar taxes
The industry believes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has no evidence to back its claim that sugar taxes are an effective way to improve public health. Instead, the industry says, taxes only lead consumers to cheaper brands with similar or even higher calorie content, which may undermine any positive health outcome.
Amended Commission food proposal ‘completely inadequate’, says foodwatch
The European Commission continues to serve the interests of big companies rather than consumers, and this will lead to new food scandals soon, the European consumer organisation foodwatch said on Tuesday (10 July).
Wine industry wants its products’ labelling in the next CAP
The wine industry is pushing for the inclusion of its products’ labelling proposals in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to give self-regulation a “legal basis and certainty”.
Commission throws the ball to EU capitals on future of short food chains
The development of short food supply chains (SFSC) is constantly gaining ground in the EU. Producing and consuming locally is seen as a way to achieve fairer remunerations for farmers and higher quality local food products.
EU should use due diligence in fisheries import
The European Parliament has adopted an initiative report this week about the conformity of fisheries products that have access to the EU market. The EU is the largest market for fish in the world and it may need to be even more vigilant to keep illegally caught fish from arriving in the EU indirectly, writes Linnéa Engström.
EU farming community divided over new plant breeding techniques
The EU should embrace the new plant breeding techniques as the best chance to supply enough food for the EU's population, according to mainstream EU farmers. But organic farmers oppose this and a lot may depend on a European court ruling due before the summer.
EU governments, businesses, consumers must work together to demand sustainable fisheries
As the seafood industry enters an era that many experts say will bring growing demand and dwindling supply, every player in the supply chain must work to advance sustainability and end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, writes Amanda Nickson.
Europeans will have to recycle half of their waste by 2025
European households and businesses will have to recycle at least 55% of their municipal waste by 2025, according to stricter new rules passed by the European Parliament on Wednesday (18 April).
Survey: Major retailers and producers in Germany back binding meat label
A number of major retailers and meat producers see the idea of a legally binding label on meat in positive light, according to a Greenpeace survey published on 27 March.
Danish illegal ‘feta’ cheese exports face EU probe
The European Commission warned Copenhagen to enforce protection of the protected designation of origin “Feta”, following information that Danish companies export the product outside the EU with misleading labelling.
Ivory Coast cocoa sector hit by certification fraud
In the Ivory Coast a large proportion of cocoa comes from its protected forests. This illegally grown cocoa is then marketed by major chocolate manufacturers, with certification procedures having little impact on this illicit trade. EURACTIV.fr reports
Combat digestive diseases with tighter controls on the alcohol and food industry
You are what you eat, the saying goes, but what about what we drink? Dietary regulations across Europe need to be stricter if digestive disease rates are to fall, writes Thierry Ponchon.
EESC: EU needs a comprehensive food policy
Europe needs to revolutionise its approach to food, focusing on sustainability and health to tackle the many challenges of the future, said a report published on Wednesday (6 December).
Italy’s labelling manoeuvre worries Commission and pasta makers
An Italian tribunal approved on 22 November the decrees signed by the ministries of agriculture and of economic development to include the country of origin of cereals on rice and pasta labels. The move was welcomed by Coldiretti, Italy’s largest farmers union, but worried the European Commission and pasta makers.
Greek yogurt is produced only in Greece, Commission warns Prague
The denomination “Greek yogurt” cannot be used for yogurts produced outside Greece, a European Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.com amid mounting tensions between Athens and Prague on the issue.
FAO boss: Half of world’s population will be malnourished by 2030
More than a half of the global population will suffer some form of malnutrition by 2030 unless urgent action is taken to improve access to high-quality food, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has told G7 health ministers.
France opts for colour coded nutrition labelling
France's ministers for health, agriculture and the economy signed on Tuesday (31 October) a decree introducing a voluntary labelling scheme for food products to reduce obesity, causing upheaval in the food industry.
Brie trade agreement: China lifts soft cheese ban
Fans of soft cheeses in China have reason to celebrate after the country reversed a ban on mould-ripened cheeses, allowing imports of Camembert, Brie and Roquefort, European Union officials said on Monday (23 October).
What are you drinking?
A can of soup, a carton of juice, a bottle of wine.When shopping for any of the above, it stands to reason that you could turn to the calories or inspect the ingredients. As you’d imagine, food and drink producers are obliged to label their produces’ ingredients and calorie content. Wine, however, is exempt.
Food & drink industry boss: Do not confuse ‘quality’ with ‘recipe’ in food debate
What has been mixed in the current dual quality food conversation is ‘quality versus recipe’, as consumers have different preferences on sweetness and saltiness and we just have to accept it, FoodDrinkEurope leader told EURACTIV.com in an interview.