Food labelling
Soft drink makers back product reformulation as ‘healthier’ than taxation
Governments can steer consumers towards healthier choices by supporting the reformulation of food ingredients, rather than imposing "discriminatory" taxes, according to the soft drinks industry.
‘Traffic light’ food labels gain momentum across Europe
A UK scheme that labels pre-packed food in red, amber or green according to their level of healthiness was rejected by Mediterranean countries at EU level but is slowly gaining momentum across Europe.
Hard cheese for soya and tofu as EU court bans dairy names for plant-based products
Plant-based products like soya and tofu can no longer be sold with dairy-type names like milk or butter, the European Union's top court ruled Wednesday (14 June).
Consumer group wants to kill cartoons on ‘unhealthy’ food for children
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) urged food companies on Wednesday (14 June) to stop using cartoon characters to promote unhealthy foods for children, saying they negatively affect their dietary behaviour.
As Italy seeks pasta labels, Canada worries about durum sales
Italy has this week formally asked the European Commission to allow it to require country of origin labels on pasta sold there, raising alarms for Canadian durum wheat exporters who fear the move will dampen sales.
Italy introduces new labelling law for dairy products
Starting on Wednesday, Italian dairy product labels will have to show the origin of their ingredients. Italy’s agriculture minister hopes the experiment will be copied by other EU countries. EURACTIV’s partner Italia Oggi reports.
French winemakers launch campaign against ‘unfair’ Spanish competition
Winemakers in the Montpellier region in southern France have launched a media campaign to alert consumers to “unfair competition” from their Spanish counterparts, passing off their wine as French. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Spanish oil, wine, meat and horticultural products: Four success stories
Spain's agricultural sector has used exports as a way to escape from financial crisis and it has emerged as a real engine of the economy since 2008. Growth continues unabated and numerous records have been broken. EURACTIV's partner EFEAgro reports.
Farmers target growth through direct sales and short supply chains
Farmers in France are seeking growth through direct sales, short supply chains and local agriculture, targeting a burgeoning market in local produce. Euractiv France reports.
UK promises scrapping ‘three-crops’ farm rule post-Brexit
The UK’s new agriculture minister has promised a major scrapping of EU farming regulation - including key green measures - after it leaves the bloc.
Diabetes expert: Urgent need for education ‘at every level’
There is a great need to raise awareness and enhance education on diabetes and a healthier lifestyle “at every level”, Stella de Sabata, head of the International Diabetes Federation, told EURACTIV.com.
Malmström backs EU whistleblower over Thai labour rights
EU Trade Commission Cecilie Malmström on Thursday (6 October) strongly backed the British labour rights activist who helped expose labour abuses in Thailand, for which he received a three-year suspended jail sentence.
Commission tells Czechs Greek yoghurt is ‘Greek’
The use of the term “Greek yoghurt” for products produced outside Greece deceives consumers and creates unfair competition, the European Commission said, ending a spat between Athens and Prague.
Paris to tackle obesity with junk food tax
France is raising the tax on all high calorie foods in an attempt to tackle its increasing weight problem. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Commission warns Prague about ‘Greek-style’ yoghurt use
The use of “Greek yoghurt” labeling in a Czech Republic draft bill has angered the Syriza-led Greek government - which has urged the Commission to intervene.
Commission energy drinks proposal leads to fresh calls for minimum age limit
The European Commission intends to widen the scope for energy drink makers to advertise their products, but consumer protection activists have voiced concerns about misleading health claims and their effect on young people. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU food products found to contain unlabelled nanomaterials
Tests have revealed that nanomaterials are present in our food, and manufacturers are not fulfilling their obligation to label them. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
TTIP talks bogged down in food standards debate
Seemingly insurmountable differences in food standards are threatening to sink trade negotiations between the United States and the European Union. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Green Growth Forum tackles food waste
An international coalition launched a new tool to measure global food waste on Monday (6 June). It is hoped that the Food Loss and Waste Protocol will help halve food waste and significantly cut carbon emissions. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
What has the EU ever done for my… dinner?
We take the food on our plates so much for granted that we tend to forget that the EU engineered a secure supply after a period of shortage, disruption and even famine within Europe.
UN panel now says Monsanto weedkiller ‘unlikely’ to cause cancer
The controversial weedkiller glyphosate, which is used by Monsanto in its herbicide Roundup, is "unlikely" to cause cancer, a United Nations finding said Monday, in a blow to critics who have called for its ban.
Greece to block TTIP unless geographical indications are protected
EXCLUSIVE / The Greek government is ready to veto the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the US and the EU unless it ensures increased protection for key agricultural geographical indicators.
Parliament once again demands the Commission introduces origin labelling
The European Commission should come up with legislative proposals for mandatory country origin labelling of certain foods, such as milk, dairy and meat products, MEPs said in another resolution on the matter on Thursday (12 May).
France, US exchange warnings over agriculture in trade pact
French President François Hollande threatened on Sunday (1 May) to reject the ambitious TTIP trade pact if it endangers the future of French agriculture, triggering similar warnings from the US regarding exports of farm produce to Europe