Category: Europe
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French Safety Agency Warns of Energy Drink Risk
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) has released a report that warns of the risks associated with consumption of energy drinks, particularly for children, pregnant women and people with certain genetic predispositions, such as cardiovascular or psychiatric and neurological disorders, kidney failure or liver disease. The agency also recommends…
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EC Amends Nano Elements of Food Information and Labeling Rule
The European Commission (EC) has issued a draft rule amending Regulation 1169/2011—a food information and labeling rule adopted in 2011—with regard to use of the term “nano” to describe food additives. The amended rule requires adherence to the definition of “engineered nanomaterial” provided in Recommendation 2011/696/EU, because this rule “reflects the technical and scientific progress to…
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UK Issues Warning About Fake Manuka Honey
The U.K. Food Standards Agency has reportedly issued a nationwide warning about misleading and illegal claims for manuka honey, a product derived from the manuka tree in southeastern Australia and New Zealand and endorsed by many celebrities who claim that it contains unique anti-bacterial and medicinal properties. According to news sources, manuka honey commands prices…
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ECHA Announces Public Consultation on Proposal to Reclassify BPA
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced a public consultation seeking feedback on a proposal submitted by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) to reclassify bisphenol A (BPA) based on its alleged reproductive toxicity. According to ECHA, the proposal would upgrade the harmonized classification and labeling (CLH) of BPA…
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UK Watchdog Says ‘Zero-Calorie Pasta’ Ad Breaches Regulations
The U.K. Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has ruled that pasta manufacturer NAH Foods, Ltd. cannot use a magazine ad for its “Slim Pasta” that features the heading “Zero Calorie Pasta?” and the subheading “UK & Ireland’s No.1 Best Selling Zero Calorie Pasta, Noodles & Rice” because tests of the product revealed that it actually contains…
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EFSA Issues Guidance for Two-Year Whole Food Studies
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued guidance principles for conducting two-year whole food studies “to assess the risk of cancer and/or toxicity from the long-term consumption of such foods by humans.” Acting at the behest of the European Commission, EFSA relied on testing guidance (TG) 453 from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and…
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EFSA Proposes Fluoride and Molybdenum Intake Requirements
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has proposed adequate intake (AI) levels for fluoride and molybdenum as part of its effort to provide dietary reference values (DRVs) for micronutrients, including vitamin C, folate, iron, zinc, calcium, and iodine. Finalized by EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA Panel) after a public consultation, the…
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EFSA Approves Use of Advantame Sweetener
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that the sweetener advantame is safe for human consumption. Derived from aspartame and vanillin, advantame is reportedly 37,000 times sweeter than sugar and 100 times sweeter than aspartame and can be used to enhance flavors such as fruit, citrus and mint and to extend the sweetness duration…