Category: Europe
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U.K. Launches Consultation on Allergen Labeling
The U.K. Food Standards Agency has opened a public consultation on labeling allergens on prepared food products. The consultation applies to foods “prepacked on the premises in anticipation of an order, before being offered for sale,” such as “fresh (uncooked) pizzas from the deli counter,” “boxed salads,” “hot foods such as rotisserie chicken or wedges,”…
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Red Bull Ad Makes Unauthorized Focus Claims, ASA Rules
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that Red Bull Co. made unauthorized health claims about purported benefits of its energy drink on mental focus and concentration. The company’s subway advertisement featured cartoon women in an office setting with the text “The Secret to Finishing Early.” The ad referenced a consumer initiative encouraging workers…
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U.K. Public Consultation to Examine Ads for Foods High in Fat, Sugar and Salt
The United Kingdom has launched a public consultation on a proposal to restrict some types of advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). The consultation targets “volume-based price promotions of HFSS food and drink that encourage people to buy more than they need, for example, ‘buy one, get one free’ and free…
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ASA Dismisses Bacardi Ad Complaint
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has declined to take action against Bacardi-Martini Ltd. following a complaint that its television ad “was irresponsible because it encouraged immoderate drinking by implying that drinking should take place before and throughout a night out.” In its determination, ASA found that “a sealed bottle of Bacardi rum was shown…
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EFSA Issues Opinion on PFAS in Food
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released an opinion proposing a revision to tolerable intakes of per- and polyfluoroalykl substances (PFAS), which food packaging can contain. The authors reportedly observed high levels of PFAS in “meat and meat products” as well as “fish and other seafood.” In addition, PFAS was “detected in blood samples…
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EFSA Issues Report on Foodborne Parasites
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a scientific opinion on “the occurrence and control of three parasites that may be transmitted via food, namely Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Echinococcus spp.,” which cause the diseases “cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE), respectively.” EFSA identified “many gaps in our knowledge…
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EU Issues Report on Antimicrobial Resistance
The European Commission has issued a report on antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance that includes a section on Europeans’ “attitudes towards the use of antibiotics on sick animals, and their awareness of the ban on using antibiotics to stimulate growth in farm animals.” The report states that 56 percent of respondents believed that sick animals should…
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EU, U.K. Approve Limits on Single-Use Plastics
The European Parliament has approved a ban on several types of single-use plastics that is reportedly expected to take effect by 2021. The ban will apply to plastic cutlery, plates, straws and drink stirrers, and the measure also calls for a reduction in plastic cups and other single-use plastic containers used for food and beverages.…