Regulation & safety

The ‘Junk Free Checkouts’ campaign calls on government to ban unhealthy snacks from checkouts and queuing areas. Photo courtesy of the Children’s Food Campaign

Junk-free checkout campaign launched

By Rick Pendrous

A new campaign is being launched today (September 16) urging supermarkets to permanently remove unhealthy snacks from checkouts and queuing areas.

Almost 820,000 children in the Ivory Coast and over 997,000 kids in Ghana were found to be working on cocoa-related activities in 2007/2008, according to Tulane University. Photo Credit: 10 Campaign

Hershey child labor lawsuit faces meltdown

By Oliver Nieburg

A case alleging child labor abuses by Hershey in West Africa should be dismissed for lack of evidence, according to a Master’s report in the Court of Chancery in Delaware.

Allergy fears after ConAgra packing mistake

ConAgra packing error prompts recall

By Joe Whitworth

ConAgra Foods has recalled a variety of cookie dough after it was put into a package that does not say the product may contain peanuts.

Orkla argues that it is unfair that factories that used to produce major Soviet brands can now longer do so because United Confectioners owns most trademarks and has refused to issue licenses

Orkla questions United Confectioners Soviet brand monopoly

By Oliver Nieburg

Orkla Brands Russia has hit out at Russia’s leading player United Confectioners for keeping a monopoly on former Soviet brands, which were previously produced by every confectionery factory in the country.

Smoke drying increases levels of carcinogenic compounds

Benzo[a]pyrene: The chocolate industry's burning issue

By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has emerged as central protagonist in the recent Russia-Ukraine confectionery imbroglio in which Russia banned imports from Ukrainian firm Roshen after the carcinogenic compound was allegedly discovered.

Hershey, Mars and Nestlé USA allowed to analyze transaction data from two customers

Chocolate giants granted subpoena in US price fixing suit

By Oliver Nieburg

Hershey, Mars and Nestlé USA have been allowed to scrutinize transaction data from two of their customers that could determine which type of customers have a valid claim for damages in an ongoing US lawsuit alleging that the companies conspired to fix...

Advantame may extend sweetness duration in chewing gum, according to its developer

EFSA panel says advantame is safe for use

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that aspartame-derived sweetener advantame is safe for human consumption.

“It is not true that the chocolate contains no Benzo[a]pyrene, but it is very very minimal and not harmful at all,” says Roshen.

'Russia never visited our factories,' says ousted Roshen

By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Ukrainian confectionery firm Roshen has said that Russia did not inspect their factories in connection with the recent safety allegations, saying instead that the tests looked at end products in Russia only.

Russian authorities go quiet after announcing Roshen import ban to the press

Roshen in the dark over Russian import ban

By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

The Russian sanitation authority has suspended imports from the major Ukranian confectionery company Roshen amid safety concerns. Yet Roshen remains in the dark.

EFSA chief resigns after 7 years

EFSA chief resigns after 7 years

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is looking for a new chief after executive director Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle resigned to work in the French public service.

Sugar users have welcomed the removal of quotas by 2017

EU reaches deal on CAP reform

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

European institutions reached a deal on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on Wednesday, including a compromise that will end sugar quotas by 2017.

Symposium outlines methods of best practice for designing clinical trials

Clinical trial tips to win an EFSA health claim

By Oliver Nieburg

Atlantia Food Contract Research Organisation has identified methods of best practices to help food and supplements makers conduct human intervention studies that will help them win a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim.

Fair Trade USA's proposed policy changes called into question

Editor’s Blog

Fair Trade USA labeling rules: Hoax or fair enough?

By Oliver Nieburg

Fair Trade USA is considering much maligned changes to its labeling policy that would no longer require brands to source ingredients from a Fair Trade source even when one is available – is its draft policy fair or misleading?

EU to ban flavouring compound

EU to ban flavouring compound

The European Commission and member states have voted to ban a flavouring compound, following an EFSA opinion on its safety published last week, which found that the ingredient was of concern.

EU health claims evolution: New submission behaviours

EU health claims evolution: A submission rethink

By Nigel Baldwin

Now that the dust has settled on the health claims submission process we should all be very clear on the rules of engagement. Well kind of, says Nigel Baldwin, chief consultant in Intertek’s European office.

Most consumers don't know what EFSA is, experts find

Most consumers don't know what EFSA is, experts find

By Nathan Gray

Almost no German consumers know about the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), or understand the role it has in the approval of health claims for functional food products, according to experts.

Are thresholds too low for products to carry the Fairtrade USA seal on the pack?

NGO questions Fair Trade USA chocolate labeling ‘hoax’

By Oliver Nieburg

Not-for-profit organization Fair World Project has criticized changes to Fair Trade USA's labeling policy, which allows chocolate to carry the seal when it contains a high percentage of other ingredients like sugar that are not fairly traded.

Could the WTO overturn EU health claim laws?

Could the WTO overturn EU health claim laws?

By Shane Starling from Brussels

Aggrieved companies and  trade groups have already mounted legal actions against the EU’s strict health claim laws – they are in process – but the regulation’s workings could face fresh challenge from governments signed up to the World Trade Organization...

64.8%.of sweet and savory foods in India adulterated by exceeding acceptable limits or using non-permitted colors.

Food colors in India: Researchers call for review

Majority of colored foods in India illegal

By Oliver Nieburg

Researchers are calling for a review of food colors in India after finding that the majority found in popular products exceed legal limits and almost a fifth of products contain illegal colors.

EU health claim laws strip consumers of right ‘to share in scientific development’: Author

“Advancements made in nutritional science and the benefits produced by foods and foodstuffs may no longer be shared with consumers by those who procure the foods and foodstuffs."

EU health claim laws strip consumers of right ‘to share in scientific development’: Author

By Shane Starling

The European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) denies consumers of the right to scientific advancement in nutrition, says outspoken Dutch writer and NHCR opponent, Bert Schwitters.

Choco Treasure claims to be only toy-filled chocolate egg safe for sale in US

Toy-filled chocolate egg approved for sale in US

By Oliver Nieburg

New Jersey-based Candy Treasure has overcome a US ban on toy-filled chocolate eggs dating back to 1938 after its Choco Treasure surprise eggs were deemed safe for sale.

EFSA revises downward ADI for synthetic blue colour

EFSA revises downward ADI for synthetic blue colour

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revised downward the acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for synthetic food dye Patent Blue V (E 131) in light of the latest available data.