Tag: Europe
-
WHO, Governments Issue Advice on Food Safety During COVID-19 Pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued “COVID-19 and food safety: guidance for food businesses,” which provides information on the risks of transmission of COVID-19 in the food and beverage industry. “It is highly unlikely that people can contract COVID-19 from food or food packaging,” the guidance states. “Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food; they need…
-
EU Bans Insecticide Chlorpyrifos
A regulatory committee of the European Union has reportedly voted to prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl. Member countries voted to withdraw authorization for the insecticide after January 31, 2020, after which companies will have three months to dispose of their stocks of chlorpyrifos. The vote follows an August 2019 determination by the European Food…
-
EU Court Denies “Balsamic” as Protected Designation of Origin
The European Court of Justice has reportedly held that “balsamic” as a descriptor for vinegar is not reserved exclusively for producers in Modena, Italy. The case challenged a German vinegar producer’s use of “Balsamico” and “Deutscher Balsamico.” Although “Balsamic Vinegar from Modena” has been a geographic indication within the European Union for more than a…
-
France Backs Down on “Dry January” Campaign
The French government has reportedly abandoned a campaign suggesting French people abstain from drinking alcohol during the month of January following pressure from wine producers. The plan was apparently inspired by a promotion launched by a U.K. advocacy group in 2013 that encourages alcohol abstinence during January and mindful alcohol consumption in the months that…
-
EFSA Proposes Animal Welfare Measures in Poultry Slaughter
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion on animal welfare considerations during the slaughter of poultry for food. The opinion provides a “comprehensive overview” of “the entire slaughter process from arrival and unloading of birds through stunning to bleeding and killing.” The opinion also identifies hazards that “give rise to welfare…
-
“Suicyder” Complaint Upheld
The Portman Group, a U.K. alcohol industry self-regulatory group, has upheld a complaint against the Bearded Brewery for the name of its high-alcohol cider, Suicyder. A member of the public complained about the beverage name’s reference to suicide, calling Suicyder “clearly irresponsible” because it purportedly targets young men—”the group at highest risk of suicide”—and uses…
-
EFSA Opens Public Consultation on Aflatoxins in Food
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched a public consultation on the risks associated with consuming aflatoxins, mycotoxins produced by two species of Aspergillus that “are known to be genotoxic (capable of damaging DNA) and carcinogenic.” Most human exposure to aflatoxins comes from contaminated grains and derived products, although they can also be found…
-
Denmark to Ban PFAS from Food Packaging
Denmark has reportedly passed a law that will ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from cardboard and paper used for food packaging. “These substances represent such a health problem that we can no longer wait for the EU,” Denmark’s food minister is quoted as saying. Recycled paper may continue to be used if the PFAS…