Food & Drink

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

EU food agency under fire as Commission debates GMOs — 07 May 2008, 22:59 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

Food Labelling - guide — 30 January 2008, 16:24 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

EU proposes new regulations for 'novel foods' — 15 January 2008, 23:45 CET

The European Commission has adopted a proposal revising the Novel Foods Regulation so that new and innovative foods have better access to the EU market, while consumer protection is guaranteed. 'Novel foods' include those which are produced using new techniques and technologies, and those that have no history of consumption within the EU, but have been consumed elsewhere.

Safe Novel Foods in the EU — 14 January 2008, 14:24 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

Novel Foods - EU Authorisations — 14 January 2008, 14:19 CET

European Commission Decisions authorising the placing on the market of novel food.

GM Food & Feed — 14 January 2008, 14:18 CET

EU legislation covering genetically modified (GM) Food & Feed.

EU project develops omega-3 rich crop — 19 November 2007, 17:34 CET

Genetically engineered plants which produce essential omega-3 fish oils could offer a new way of improving people's diets, scientists working on an EU project said at a conference on 'Incorporating Omega 3 in the food chain'.

Catalogue of FP6 food projects available — 16 November 2007, 16:59 CET

The European Commission has published a catalogue of all projects funded under the 'Food quality and safety' strand of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).

Russia inspections unrelated to meat dispute: Poland — 13 November 2007, 19:24 CET

Russian experts Tuesday kicked off inspections of Poland's food industry, but the move was unrelated to a bitter meat trade dispute that has hit Russian-EU ties.

EU regulators approve Kraft's purchase of Danone's biscuit's unit — 09 November 2007, 16:30 CET

EU antitrust regulators approved on Friday the acquisition of French food group Danone's biscuits business by Kraft Food of the United States after finding that the deal would not stifle competition.

Evaluation of nutrient sources in food supplements and food - update — 08 November 2007, 19:52 CET

During 2005 EFSA received approximately 500 dossiers relating to nutrient substances added to food supplements and foods currently on the market in the European Union (EU). Under current EU legislation, a scientific opinion from EFSA on the safety of such nutrient sources is required prior to any approval of their continued use in food supplements and/or fortified foods and/or foods for particular nutritional purposes.

Greece calls on EU to guarantee its feta sovereignty — 02 November 2007, 20:05 CET

Greece on Friday urged European Union nations to help guarantee its exclusive right to use feta as the name for its famously tangy cheese.

European Day of Healthy Food and Cooking, November 8 — 31 October 2007, 17:38 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

EU fails to agree on GMO potato — 11 October 2007, 02:20 CET

EU states on Wednesday failed to reach agreement on whether to authorise a new genetically modified potato.

Colombian coffee gets protected EU label alongside Champagne, Rioja — 27 September 2007, 17:12 CET

Colombian coffee became on Thursday the first non-European product to win special EU protection because of its geographic origin alongside Champagne, Roquefort cheese and Rioja wine.

EU food quality label systems — 27 September 2007, 17:06 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) / Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) - search by category — 27 September 2007, 17:04 CET

In 1992, the European Union created systems known as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) to promote and protect food products. A PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) covers the term used to describe foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how. In the case of the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) the geographical link must occur in at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation. Furthermore, the product can benefit from a good reputation.

Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) - search by category — 27 September 2007, 17:02 CET

In 1992, the European Union created systems known as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) to promote and protect food products. A TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) does not refer to the origin but highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production.

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) / Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) country search — 27 September 2007, 16:58 CET

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) / Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) country search

Alcohol advertising compliance at 96% in 2007 — 25 September 2007, 15:25 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

EU Food Law: Protecting Consumers and Health in a Common Market (Modern Studies in European Law) (Hardcover) — 11 September 2007, 19:15 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

Study links food colourings to hyperactive behaviours — 07 September 2007, 15:53 CET

Parents whose children show signs of hyperactivity may find that cutting certain artificial food colourings from their diet may lead to an improvement in their behaviour.

No grounds to change risk assessment of beef hormones: EFSA — 27 July 2007, 22:07 CET

There are no grounds to amend the risk assessment currently in place in Europe on hormone residues in beef, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded, following a review of new scientific data.

EU regulator approves Nestle buyout of Gerber — 27 July 2007, 18:38 CET

The European Union's top regulator approved on Friday Swiss food giant Nestle's takeover of Gerber, the biggest baby food maker in the United States.

Review of scientific data on risks to human health from certain hormone residues in beef — 19 July 2007, 21:03 CET

The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission to assess any new scientific evidence that emerged since the last risk assessment in 2002 relating to the use of certain natural and synthetic growth promoting hormones (GPH) in cattle. EFSA's Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) concluded that there are no grounds to call for revision of previous risk assessments.