Tag: EU
-
EU Court Advisor Issues Opinion on Obesity as Protected Disability
Advocate General Niilo Jääskinen of the EU Court of Justice has issued an opinion in the case of a morbidly obese child-minder in Denmark who lost his job, allegedly due to unlawful discrimination, finding that “if obesity has reached such a degree that it plainly hinders participation in professional life, then this can be a…
-
Danish Environment Ministry Seeks EU Limits on Phthalates
The Danish Ministry of the Environment has stated that the government intends to pressure the European Commission to phase out certain phthalates—including BBP, DEHP, DBP, and DIBP, which are used to soften plastics such as food containers—after the European Court of Justice found that Denmark’s proposed ban on them conflicts with EU regulations. Environment Minister…
-
EFSA Calls Acrylamide “A Public Health Concern”
The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) has published a draft scientific opinion on acrylamide (AA) in food that urges the further reduction of dietary exposure to the substance. According to the draft opinion, AA is formed when the sugars and amino acids in carbohydrate-rich foods—such as…
-
EFSA Issues Scientific Opinion on Pathogens in Fresh and Frozen Berries
The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) has issued a scientific opinion on the risk posed by Salmonella and norovirus in fresh and frozen berries. According to BIOHAZ, which reviewed the limited data pertaining to the prevalence of these foodborne pathogens in berries, the risk factors for contamination are likely to…
-
ASA Upholds Complaints Against “Superfood” Claims of Chia and Flax Seeds
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), has upheld four complaints challenging whether a TV ad for Bioglan “superfood” chia and flax seeds complied with the European Register of Nutrition and Health claims with its use of the word “superfood” and comparisons demonstrating the seeds’ protein, calcium and fiber content. At issue specifically was food manufacturer…
-
EU Member States Criticize “Best Before” Dates
The Netherlands and Sweden have issued a discussion paper arguing that labeling food with “best before” dates results in unnecessary food waste and that European Union (EU) requirements should be adjusted to allow some foods to be sold without them. The paper, which Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Luxembourg also back, echoes a report published in…
-
ECHA Publishes Final Decisions for 14 Potentially Hazardous Substances
After review by member states and unanimous agreement by the Member State Committee, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a group of evaluation decisions on 14 substances considered to pose potential risks, creating obligations for companies in the European Union to conduct tests and provide further data about their use. The decisions are the…
-
EFSA to Hold Workshop on Re-Evaluation of Food Additives
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will host a workshop on April 28, 2014, in Brussels, to discuss the agency’s work related to the re-evaluation of food additives, as required by Commission Regulation No. 257/2010 of the European Parliament and the Council on Food Additives. With an aim to “engage with interested business operators, scientific…