News in brief

Salmonella scare forces recall for Aussie confectioner

Aust Aria has issued a recall for a product it fears may be contaminated with salmonella.

EFSA calls for safety tests for six food dyes – including five Southampton colours

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended further safety tests for six food dyes – including five of the so-called Southampton Six colours – although it says currently there...

Gold star: Oz confectionery industry welcomes front-of-pack labeling

The Australian confectionery industry has broadly welcomed a 'star based' voluntary front-of-pack labeling system but is concerned about time frames to introduce the measures.

Mars and Nestlé charged with chocolate price fixing in Canada

Mars and Nestlé have been charged by the Canada’s competition watchdog for allegedly fixing the price of chocolate.

Clinical trial tips to win an EFSA health claim

Atlantia Food Contract Research Organisation has identified methods of best practices to help food and supplements makers conduct human intervention studies that will help them win a European Food Safety...

Editor’s Blog

Fair Trade USA labeling rules: Hoax or fair enough?

Fair Trade USA is considering much maligned changes to its labeling policy that would no longer require brands to source ingredients from a Fair Trade source even when one is...

News in brief

EU to ban flavouring compound

The European Commission and member states have voted to ban a flavouring compound, following an EFSA opinion on its safety published last week, which found that the ingredient was of...

EFSA finds flavouring substance safety concern

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that a flavouring compound used to give a burnt, nutty flavour to confectionery, baked goods and some savoury products is a safety...

Guest article

EU health claims evolution: A submission rethink

Now that the dust has settled on the health claims submission process we should all be very clear on the rules of engagement. Well kind of, says Nigel Baldwin, chief...

Most consumers don't know what EFSA is, experts find

Almost no German consumers know about the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), or understand the role it has in the approval of health claims for functional food products, according to...

FDA to probe impact of caffeine on kids' health following launch of Wrigley's Alert Energy Caffeine Gum

The FDA says it will take a “fresh look” at the health effects of caffeine on kids following the launch of Alert Energy Caffeine Gum - a new caffeinated gum...

NGO questions Fair Trade USA chocolate labeling ‘hoax’

Not-for-profit organization Fair World Project has criticized changes to Fair Trade USA's labeling policy, which allows chocolate to carry the seal when it contains a high percentage of other ingredients...

Could the WTO overturn EU health claim laws?

Aggrieved companies and  trade groups have already mounted legal actions against the EU’s strict health claim laws – they are in process – but the regulation’s workings could face fresh...

Thorntons and Nestlé in separate chocolate headaches

Thorntons has recalled three varieties of chocolates after they were found to be contaminated with glass while fake Wonka bars have been found on sale in the UK.

Chocolate over-consumption may be linked to Parkinson’s Disease – review

Indian researchers have urged consumers to limit the chocolate they eat because it is the food richest in a component linked to Parkinson’s Disease.

Food colors in India: Researchers call for review

Majority of colored foods in India illegal

Researchers are calling for a review of food colors in India after finding that the majority found in popular products exceed legal limits and almost a fifth of products contain...

"They are scientists performing a very difficult task, as instructed by EU law makers."

I observed the EFSA health claims panel in action; conspiracy theorists will be disappointed

Last week NutraIngredients was one of 10 organisations invited to observe the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claims panel in action for a day at its Parma, Italy, base.

UK watchdog: 95% of online advertising is compliant

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has found 95% of 120 websites assessed in various sectors including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) are compliant with its code of practice.

Nestlé Deutschland will appeal ‘unjustified’ multi-million fine

Nestlé will fight to revoke a €20m fine imposed by the German cartel office for illegal exchange of competition-relevant information with other food majors including Kraft and Unilever.

Nestlé recalls Kit Kat Chunkys over plastic pieces fears

Nestlé has recalled four varieties of Kit Kat Chunky bars in nine countries after plastic pieces were found in products by consumers in the UK.

“Advancements made in nutritional science and the benefits produced by foods and foodstuffs may no longer be shared with consumers by those who procure the foods and foodstuffs."

EU health claim laws strip consumers of right ‘to share in scientific development’: Author

The European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) denies consumers of the right to scientific advancement in nutrition, says outspoken Dutch writer and NHCR opponent, Bert Schwitters.

Toy-filled chocolate egg approved for sale in US

New Jersey-based Candy Treasure has overcome a US ban on toy-filled chocolate eggs dating back to 1938 after its Choco Treasure surprise eggs were deemed safe for sale.

EFSA revises downward ADI for synthetic blue colour

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revised downward the acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for synthetic food dye Patent Blue V (E 131) in light of the latest available data.

Blue colors study author clarifies position on lollipop risks

The author of a study on blue dyes in lollipops says that her paper focuses on the risk of systemic absorption in small quantities and not “human health risks”....

EU sugar quota reform: 2015 v 2020? Is it time to give sugar beet a caning?

On the day 27 associations issued a joint open letter imploring the EU to keep to its word and scrap widely despised sugar quotas across the bloc in 2015 -...