Tag: EU
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Boston Beer Co. Seeks to Trademark “Brexit”
One day after U.K. citizens voted to leave the European Union, Samuel Adams® brewer Boston Beer Co. filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to register “Brexit” for use on hard cider products. U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 87083390 (filed June 24, 2016). Two other applications for Brexit marks were filed the…
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EU Report Urges Action on Trans Fat Limits
A new report issued by the European Commission advocates that the European Parliament take action on trans fat levels in foods by introducing (i) a mandatory label for foods with trans fat, (ii) legislation setting a limit on allowable trans fat content, (iii) voluntary agreements to reduce trans fat content, or (iv) guidance for national…
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Precautionary Principle Focus of Upcoming TACD Forum
London-based Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD), a collaborative group of U.S. and E.U. consumer organizations that develops and submits joint consumer policy recommendations to the U.S. government and European Union, is hosting a January 26, 2016, meeting in Brussels, Belgium, focusing on use of the precautionary principle in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Discussions…
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Italian Police Investigate Alleged Olive Oil Fraud
Police in Turin, Italy, are reportedly investigating seven companies, including Bertolli, Carapelli and Santa Sabina—for allegedly selling “Extra Virgin” olive oils (EVOOs) that fail to meet EU standards to be labeled as such. The investigation was reportedly launched after consumer magazine Il Test notified the police of its taste-test results. The police then hired the…
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European Court Rejects “Halloumi” as Community Trade Mark
The European Union’s General Court has rejected an appeal to register “Halloumi” and its Greek alphabet equivalent as Community Trade Marks, deeming the terms descriptive of the cheese product. Republic of Cyprus v. Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Mkt., Nos. T-292/14 and T-293/14 (Gen. Ct., order entered October 7, 2015). The application would have…
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EFSA Risk Profile Assesses Use of Insect Protein in Food and Feed
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a scientific opinion assessing any potential risks associated with the use of insect protein in food and animal feed. Concluding that chemical and biological risks depend on production method, the type of substrate used, and insect species, the expert panel specifically notes that “the occurrence of prions—abnormal…
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Ireland Objects to “Artisan” McDonald’s Burger
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reportedly objected to McDonald’s Corp.’s use of “artisan” in describing its new product, the McMór hamburger. The Ireland-exclusive burger is marketed as an “artisan” product that incorporates several ingredients from Irish cuisine, including bacon, cabbage, baby kale, Ballymaloe relish, Charleville cheese and a “potato-flaked” bun. FSAI established…
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EU Parliament to Vote on Draft Law to Ban Cloned Animals in Food
The Environment and Agriculture committees of the European Parliament have approved a draft bill that would ban the cloning of all farm animals, their descendants and products derived from them. The legislation would prohibit both the cloning within the EU and the importation of cloned animals from other countries. “We are well aware that cloning…