Category: Global
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EU and Southern Africa Agree to Protect Unique Food Names
The European Union (EU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland—have agreed to protect each other’s geographical indication (GI) names on agricultural products. The EU lists 251 GIs it seeks to protect for a variety of products, focusing especially on dairy products like cheese, while South Africa’s 105…
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Mexico Implements Food and Beverage Ad Restrictions
The Mexican Ministry of Health has reportedly announced new restrictions on food and beverage advertisements aired during TV programs and movies viewed by children. Part of its National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Overweight, Obesity and Diabetes, the new rules will prohibit the marketing of sugar-sweetened beverages, snacks, confectionery, and chocolate on both…
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WHO Releases Alcohol Report
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report on the purported harmful effects of alcohol in 194 WHO member states. The agency attributes 3.3 million deaths in 2012 to the harmful use of alcohol, and it found that the 38.3 percent of the world’s population that drinks alcohol consumes an average of 17 liters…
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WHO Places Obesity in the Spotlight
As the World Health Assembly opened its 67th session in Geneva, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan reportedly expressed her deep concern about the increasing incidence worldwide in childhood obesity, stating, “Our children are getting fatter.” Chan announced the formation of a high-level Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. Chaired by Peter Gluckman, the chief…
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FSANZ IDs Exposures to Acrylamide and Aluminum
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has issued the first phase of its Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS), which analyzed chemicals in Australian foods and beverages and concludes that acrylamide and aluminum levels are lower than or consistent with those found in similar foods in other countries. Still, FSANZ CEO Steve McCutcheon said that it…
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Codex Alimentarius Commission Schedules Mid-June Meeting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration have announced a June 18, 2014 public meeting in Washington, D.C., to provide information and receive comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions for discussion during the 37th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, July…
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Saudi Arabia Adopts Energy Drink Regulations
Saudi Arabia authorities have reportedly prohibited the sale of energy drinks at all government, education, sports, and health facilities and outlawed all forms of advertising, including the sponsorship of any sporting, social or cultural events by energy drink companies. Expected to significantly affect what industry experts cite as one of the world’s top 10 markets…
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WHO Seeks Comments on Sugar Intake Guidance
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a public consultation on its draft guidance for sugar intake that aims to help countries limit sugar consumption and address public health issues such as obesity and tooth decay. The action follows increasing concern that consumption of free sugars, particularly in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages, “may result…