food labelling

Nanomaterials in plastic packaging - are they safe for consumers?

During a roundtable discussion hosted by Holger Krahmer MEP (ALDE, DE) and organised by The Parliament Magazine and Plastics Europe, a study was presented on whether nanomaterials present in food packaging could potentially migrate into the food and presents risks to consumers. Presentations Photos What is nanotechnology? Nanomaterials as defined in a 2011 Commission Recommendation are materials which often have specific properties due to their small particle size. It offers a (...)

UK doctors ask for taxing fizzy drinks and ban junk food ads to act against obesity epidemic

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, representing nearly every doctor in the United Kingdom, calls on unhealthy foods to be addressed with anti-tobacco-like campaigns as current measures are clearly failing. The UK is the "fat man" of Europe. This phrase, which reflects the shocking reality that one quarter of UK inhabitants are obese and up to one third are overweight, is the starting point of Measuring Up: the medical profession’s prescription for the nation’s obesity (...)

EU’s Common Agricultural Policy - between Continuity and Reform

EPHA received an invitation to the policy debate facilitated by the Hans Seidel Stiftung held on 25 February 2013 18:30-21:00 at the representation of the Free State of Bavaria. The following article contains the arguments/key messages addressed by the speakers. Introduction Europe is entering a decisive period. Tight budgets, the pressure of globalisation and growing mistrust towards Brussels requires an efficient use of resources and a concentration on priorities. Together with (...)

The European Commission publishes the "Principles for Better Self- and Co-Regulation"

These principles, which constitute a basis for consensus and constructive dialogue between business and civil society’s organisations, are the first results of the Commission’s strategy on Corporate Social Responsibility. Given the "necessity of creating conditions favorable to sustainable growth, responsible business behavior and durable employment generation in the medium and long term" the European Commission released, in October 2011, "A renewed EU strategy 2011-2014 for (...)

[Evaluation] Council discussed reform of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) & mislabelled beef products

Between 25-26 February, EU Agriculture Ministers held a public debate in Brussels over the direct payments regulation and the horizontal regulation, within the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform. The debate included discussion on the basic payment scheme and whether it was transparent who the beneficiaries of CAP payments are. Ministers were also briefed on the mislabelling of beef products. Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) Ministers held two policy (...)

How to Put Non-Communicable diseases at the Heart of the Global Development Agenda?

The Lancet (the world’s leading medical journal), together with a number of international organisations (e.g.WHO, UNDP, World Bank), national governments and civil society, examined UN progress on the global development agenda. The discussions explored solutions for better accountability for global action on non-communicable disease (NCDs). EPHA, which closely followed the discussion, developed a number of key messages relevant to the public health community. The Lancet (...)

Go and Meet a Deputy! (Go MAD!)- NGOs urge citizens to Go MAD over the CAP Reform

Following the disappointing outcome of the January 23 vote by the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI) over the CAP reform, 25 farmers’ and civil society networks from 10 countries are today launching the EU-wide action: Go M.A.D. (Go Meet A Deputy!). It calls upon Europe’s citizens to directly interact with their local members of the European Parliament (MEP) and ask them how they will vote during the plenary decision on the CAP (...)

Next presidential trio - what’s there for agriculture and food?

FOODSTUFFS The three Presidencies will work together to ensure a high level of food safety, taking into account the work conducted by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius and the essential role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to carry risk assessments as part of authorisation procedures. They will ensure the adoption of the proposed regulation on food intended for infants and young children and on food for special medical purposes, aimed at replacing the current legal regime on (...)

Nutri-Medias: A new tool empowering young people when facing food industry advertisement

COFACE, the Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union, recently launched a new education tool in the arena of food and nutrition aimed at emphasising the link between food marketing and advertising. Due to the fact that the majority of studies evaluating the links between food marketing/advertising and young peoples’ behaviours are sponsored, in one way or another, very few of these studies are trustworthy. Yet, these papers do emphasise the impact that advertising (...)

The European Economic and Social Committee publishes its opinion on advertising and children

In September 2012, the European Economic and Social Committee published its opinion on "A framework for advertising aimed at young people and children". Among its main messages, the Report regrets that the current advertising framework is not protective enough and urges the European Commission to consider the adoption of more restrictive measures. Concerned by the rising presence of online media, especially social media and their sometimes intrusive not to say inappropriate actions, the (...)