Current EU regulation ‘unhelpful’, say one-in-three

By Noli Dinkovski

- Last updated on GMT

The health claims process and the deadlock on botanicals has come under particular scrutiny
The health claims process and the deadlock on botanicals has come under particular scrutiny

Related tags Health claims European union Eu

Dissatisfaction over the EU regulatory framework has risen sharply over the past year – with the health claims process and the deadlock on botanicals under particular scrutiny, research has found.

One-in-three (33%) industry professionals surveyed by the organisers of this May’s Vitafoods Europe show said the current EU regulatory environment was unhelpful, up from 25% at the start of 2017.

And although 34% found the framework helpful, this figure has dropped from 37%.

Over a quarter (28%) of respondents to the survey said the EU policy change that would most help their business was an overhaul of health claims regulations.

Regulation for botanicals

Meanwhile, a fifth (19%) of respondents to the survey said sector-specific regulation for botanicals was the policy change that would most benefit their business.

Thousands of botanical health claims have been on hold for several years while the European Food Safety Authority considered how to evaluate them. 

“The increasing frustration is not surprising,”​ said Dr Annegret Nielsen, senior consultant at analyze & realize.

“Despite progress in some areas, the regulatory challenges have remained, or even increased. It is very hard for companies to develop innovative products that comply.”

Vitafoods Europe takes place from 15–17 May at Palexpo, Geneva. Look out for our exclusive show preview in the April edition​ of Food Manufacture​.

Please click here to sign-up for our free monthly Food Ingredients, Health & Nutrition (FIHN) newsletter.

Related news

Show more

Follow us

Featured Jobs

View more

Webinars

PRODUCTS & SERVICES