Category: Europe
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Soft-Drink Tax Rejected in Ireland
The Irish food and drink industry has reportedly rejected government proposals to impose a sugar tax on soft or “fizzy” drinks, calling the tax a “discriminatory” measure that “would have no health benefits and would further hit already hard-pressed Irish consumers.” Commenting on the issue, Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII) cited the “fat tax”…
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Victoire for Nutella® Fans
France’s National Assembly has reportedly rejected a proposed tax on palm oil that appeared to be a go earlier in the week. On November 12, 2012, the French Senate voted 186-155 against the so-called “Nutella tax,” which aimed to impose a 300 percent tax on palm oil, a key ingredient in the beloved hazelnut-chocolate spread…
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Danes Welcome Decision to Reject Fat and Sugar Tax
Danish lawmakers have killed a controversial “fat tax” one year after its implementation, finding that the tax’s negative effect on the economy and small businesses far outweighed any health benefits. According to news sources, nations such as Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have held up the tax, which applies to foods containing more than…
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MPs Vote to Review UK Beer Tax
U.K. members of Parliament (MPs) have reportedly agreed to revisit a beer duty escalator tax that raises the price of a pint each year by 2 percent plus the rate of inflation. According to media reports, Conservative MP Andrew Griffiths argued in the House of Commons that the current beer tax has cost the country…
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DEFRA Requests Feedback on Food Labeling Legislation
The U.K. Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced a public consultation seeking feedback on proposed legislation that would implement the European Union’s (EU’s) regulation “on the provision of food information to consumers” (Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011). According to DEFRA, the regulation known as FIC requires food business operators (FBOs) to provide specific…
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EFSA Releases Science Strategy for 2012-2016
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a Science Strategy 2012-2016 outlining the agency’s plans to protect the food supply chain “in the coming years through up-to-date, science-based risk assessments.” Intended to complement EFSA’s corporate Strategic Plan 2009-2013, the new strategy reflects internal deliberations among its Scientific Committee, Advisory Forum, Management Board and staff,…
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EFSA Holds BPA Consultation; UK Health Group Advocates BPA Ban
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently held a one-day meeting with scientific experts, member states and other Advisory Forum participants “to exchange each other’s previous or ongoing work related to the safety assessment of bisphenol A (BPA).” Part of the agency’s continuing BPA evaluation, the meeting covered previous risk appraisals and outlined EFSA’s “developing…
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UK Announces Voluntary FOP Labeling System
The U.K. Department of Health (DOH) has announced a voluntary front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labeling scheme designed to “clearly” display the amount of fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar, and calories contained in food products. According to an October 24, 2012, press release, the proposed system will use color coding, guideline daily amounts and “high/medium/low” text to…