European Parliament

Manufacturers argue the cost of mandatory labelling of compound foods, such as lasagne, would be prohibitive

Mandatory meat origin labelling debate intensifies

By Rick Pendrous

Manufacturers have been urged to raise their voices in the fight against plans to introduce mandatory country of origin labelling (COOL) for meat used in processed food, which recently won the backing of the European Parliament but has yet to become law...

Experts have slammed a moratorium blocking proposals simplify the authorisation procedure for nanotechnology

MEPs block plans to ease nanotech approvals

By Nicholas Robinson

A moratorium blocking a proposal to simplify the authorisation procedure for nanotechnology in foods has been slammed by industry experts as “ridiculous”.

Food hygiene inspections face a shake-up and small firms could face stiff charges

EXCLUSIVE

Small processors face hit from hygiene charges

By Rod Addy

Small food processors would pay for hygiene inspections under proposed EU rules after seeming exempt, and time is running out to block this, according to Bob Salmon, director, Food Solutions.

Geslain-Lanéelle will take up the role of director general for agricultural, agri-food and territorial policies in the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry on September 1, 2013

EFSA executive director stands down

By Laurence Gibbons

Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle has announced her decision to stand down from her role as executive director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The EC wants farmer subsidies based on environmental stewardship

Budget row stalls EU farming reforms

By Rick Pendrous

Reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is unlikely to happen for at least another two years because MEPs and the European Commission (EC) are struggling to agree on the budget, it has emerged.

Sports foods may become subject to claims regulation

EFSA review of sports nutrition law is 'likely'

By Paul Gander

A second reading of the European Parliament's (EP's) report on replacing the regulatory framework for foods for particular nutritional uses (PARNUTS) is now unlikely before early 2013, but deliberations on regulating some categories could continue...

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (right) seems to be winning his fish fight - with help from friends

TV chef helps EU to turn the tide on fish discards

By Mike Stones

Celebrity TV chef turned environmental campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has helped to persuade EU government ministers to end the controversial practice of dumping hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fish at sea to avoid exceeding quotas.

A Europe-wide list of permitted Article 13.1 health claims will “bring certainty to the consumer

Euro food firms welcome health claims vote

By Mike Stones

European food and drink manufacturers have welcomed the vote by the European Parliament to reject an objection tabled against the list of permitted Article 13.1 health claims.

Europe blocks steps to healthy reformulation

Europe blocks steps to healthy reformulation

By Rick Pendrous

Manufacturers have been thwarted in their efforts to improve the healthy nature of products by incremental reformulation by the European Parliament (EP).

The Comission should rethink its health claims proposals, a group of MEPs has urged

MEPs slam Commission’s health claims plans

By Mike Stones

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have objected to the European Commission’s (EC's) proposal for an approved list of Article 13.1 claims, urging more consideration of what should be included in the list.

MEPs voted down the European Commission’s proposed amendment to allow food manufacturers to use the ‘X% less’ and ‘no added salt’ claims on their products

Food firms slam MEPs' negative nutrition vote

By Mike Stones

UK and European food and drink representatives have slammed a vote by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) today which rejected the revised nutrition claims list intended to make food reformulation easier.

MEPs have been urged to vote in favour of the revised nutrition claims list

MEPs urged to vote for revised nutrition claims

By Mike Stones

UK and European food industry representatives have urged Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to vote in favour of the revised nutrition claims list, which aims to make food reformulation easier, during their plenary vote tomorrow (February 2).

EFSA defends aspartame work, denies dossier loss

EFSA defends aspartame work, denies dossier loss

By Ben Bouckley

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has denied a suggestion by two MEPs that it may have lost data relating to a previous safety evaluation of the high intensity sweetener aspartame (E951) and that it failed to examine it properly in the first place.

Stuart: MEPS showing ignorance

COOL discussions expose MEPs’ ignorance about food industry

By Rod Addy

Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) discussions exposed ignorance among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) about the food manufacturing and supply chain, said Nick Stuart, Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery (BCCC) sector group chairman.

Novel foods progress may mean removing clones

By Jess Halliday

All is not well down on the novel foods farm. If food innovation in Europe is to thrive anew, MEPs and the Council need to get past the recriminations over the failed talks and remove the troublesome question of cloned foods from the negotiating table.

MEP demands EU answers on Twinings factory fund

MEP demands EU answers on Twinings factory fund

By Ben Bouckley

Keith Taylor MEP is demanding that the EU Commission discover whether Twinings provided guarantees to Polish authorities that it would not misuse an EU funding award that will see UK jobs relocated abroad

Get to know your MEP

Get to know your MEP

So, did you vote in last month's European Parliament (EP) elections? Given the very low turnout - just 34% - I am betting that many of you probably...

Pure and simple?

Pure and simple?

The European Commission continues to disappoint with its proposed new regulations on the provision of food information to consumers, says Neville Craddock

Cash promise puts EFSA budget freeze on ice

Cash promise puts EFSA budget freeze on ice

By Elaine Watson

Fears that the European Food Safety Authority would not be able to meet its commitments next year after a budget freeze have been allayed following...