European Union

EU healthy eating funding discriminates against plant proteins: ENSA

By Niamh Michail

The EU is discriminating against soy and plant-based proteins that are nutritionally similar – or even healthier – than the sugary dairy products it has pledged to subsidise, says the European Natural Soy and Plant-Based Foods Manufacturers Association...

Marc Tarabella led the new milk program through the European Parliament. It is hoped implementation will take place in August 2017.

EU agrees new law to promote milk in schools

By Jim Cornall

Children across the EU should soon get the benefit of better-funded school milk, fruit and vegetable schemes, along with better education on healthy eating.

Processed foods eligible for EU funding under healthy eating scheme

Processed foods eligible for EU funding under healthy eating scheme

By Niamh Michail

Manufacturers of processed foods containing fruit and milk are eligible for EU funding under a healthy eating programme for schools, approved by the agriculture committee yesterday, but maximum levels for salt, sugar and fat levels may be lowered by the...

Strategic shift: 'There was really no reason to talk to the consumer any more because we were not allowed to talk to the consumer any more.'

NutraInterview: Dominique Speleers, Beneo executive board member

Beneo: EFSA forced us to change our strategy

By Shane STARLING

Dominique Speleers is a long-time Beneo man who has seen a lot in his 15 years with the European ingredients giant from back when it was Belgian inulin and chicory player Beneo-Orafti and now as a board member of the more European, more international,...

Picture credit: PRE

Mixed feelings from PRE, APEAL, EuPC, BPF

Debate rages on over revised Circular Economy Package

By Jenny Eagle

The debate surrounding the revised Circular Economy Package rages on as some associations are not happy with the decisions announced while others welcome the changes.

First Vice-President Frans Timmermans

Reaction from ACE, EuropaBio, European Bioplastics, CEPI, EUROPEN

Circular Economy: Part I – What does the future hold now?

By Jenny Eagle

The European Commission has adopted a revised Circular Economy Package to help European businesses and consumers - "closing the loop" of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use. 

EFSA: “The fact we are here is an indication we are willing to commit to dialogue.”

Open book: The future of probiotic marketing in Europe

By Shane Starling in Brussels

‘Openness’ and ‘better dialogue’ between industry, scientists and regulators were themes of the day as the newly minted European chapter of the International Probiotics Association (IPA-Europe) launched itself with a mini-congress in Brussels yesterday.

Finland set to scrap tax on sweets and ice cream

Finland set to scrap tax on sweets and ice cream

By Nathan Gray

The Finnish government has said a tax on sweets and ice cream in the country will be scrapped at the start of 2017 after the European Commission said the tax unfairly advantaged producers within the country.

MEPs vote for 'comprehensive' cloning ban

By Niamh Michail

MEPs voted yesterday to ban imports of food from cloned animals and their descendants - but the European Commission has called the amendments 'disproportionate' and even 'legally impossible'.

Nationalism is not the solution - we're all in this milk price crisis together, says the Dutch Dairy Association (NZO)

Milk crisis nationalism is anti-EU, Dutch tell Commission

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Calls from the French National Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (FNCL) to stop imports of foreign dairy products are contrary to EU single market principles, Dutch groups have complained to the European Commission.

Animal welfare and ethical concerns include the low efficacy of cloning, with high rates of difficult births, neonatal deaths and foetal abnormalities.

MEPs back ban on meat and milk from cloned animals

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Environment and Agriculture committees backed a draft law to ban meat and milk from cloned animals and their descendants on Wednesday, citing animal welfare and ethical concerns.

Heated exchange: “This draft opinion has not reviewed a single study that was submitted…it really should not be published in its current form,

BASF-Stepan CLA claim rejection fall-out

EFSA: Only national bodies can withdraw health claim applications

By Shane STARLING

The EU’s central science agency has clarified health claim procedures after a furore over a CLA weight management submission BASF and Stepan Lipid Nutrition unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw from the system earlier this year.