EUDR ‘no risk’ status at risk as member states object
The European Council has raised a serious grievance about the no risk amendment to the EUDR, passed by the European Parliament, in last week’s vote to delay the regulation by a year.
Regulation, policy & food safety
What’s wrong with Europe’s novel food approval system?
The novel foods approval system has evolved since its birth near three decades ago, but has it progressed enough to meet the needs of a growing and innovation-heavy food and drink sector?
Saccharin daily intake threshold almost doubles post EFSA review
Safe daily intake limits for saccharin have been almost doubled by the European Food Safety Authority following a new review on the sweetener.
FDA grants more time for Phase II sodium reduction feedback – but is it enough?
FDA is giving the food and beverage industry an additional two months to respond to its request that they slash sodium in their products over the next three years to help Americans reduce their risk of diseases associated with overconsumption of the...
Food industry attacked as ‘accountability’ taxes called for
Food manufacturers could be bound by a list of measures compiled in a bid to better regulate and hold industry accountable for unhealthy products and their consequences to consumer health.
Standard serving size levels the playing field, NAD finds in tortilla advertising case
Size matters – at least when it comes to crafting nutrient content and health claims for food based on servings, according to a recent BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division decision for a challenge brought by Olé Mexican Foods against...
EUDR extension greenlit by European Council as 200 NGOs call for go-ahead
The European Council has greenlit the Commission’s proposals to delay EUDR by 12 months, despite protests from hundreds of environmental and other groups calling for its immediate implementation.
New EU novel food rules countdown begins
Novel foods in Europe will be subject to new safety assessments early next year as the European Food Safety Authority updates processes to better reflect the changing landscape and potentially speed up approvals.
EUDR U-turn as European Commission proposes delay
The European Commission has backtracked on European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation with a 12-month extension proposal.
Nutri-Level labelling: Indonesia plans new food labelling laws to mandate front-of-pack grading scheme
The Indonesian government has proposed new regulations that would mandate the use of its upcoming Nutri-Level front-of-pack traffic light labelling system for food products considered high in sugar, salt and fat.
Bigger and bolder: India food firms to bump up font sizes on product labels to ensure clarity
Food manufacturers in India have been mandated to increase the boldness and font size of product nutritional information such as total sugar, salt and saturated fat on product labels.
Rethinking bread: How bakers are leading the charge to combat the obesity crisis
As bread remains a staple in diets worldwide, the push to make it healthier is gaining momentum in the bakery industry. Could smarter formulations be the key to improving public health?
What is driving the MENA snack boom?
The snack market in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) is being fueled by a young population and shifting consumer preferences. But can snack and confectionery producers balance the rising demand for indulgence with the growing focus on health and wellness?
EUDR delay calls mount as world turns on Commission’s plans
No fewer than 45 countries, including the USA, and industry leaders have called for an EUDR delay as the sector rattles towards a deadline many have stressed it is ill-prepared for.
Is your brand ready for the HFSS advertising shake-up?
The clock is ticking for the UK’s HFSS (high in fat, sugar, and salt) advertising ban. How will brands pivot their strategies to adapt to these sweeping regulatory changes?
News shorts: Bimbo’s acquisitions and the African Cocoa Marketplace
In this roundup, we take a look at the world’s largest bakery manufacturer expanding LATAM footprint; Campbell’s proposed name change; pladis’ focus in MENAI; and how Boundless nabbed the #1 spot in the UK’s gut-health snacks sector.
Allergen compliance: The high stakes of getting it wrong
Lives are on the line when allergen protocols fall short. Has Natasha’s Law truly transformed the industry?
The Mondelēz lawsuit: A warning shot in the battle for authentic sustainability claims
A proposed class action lawsuit filed against Mondelēz International Inc – alleging ‘false and deceptive marketing and sale of cocoa products that display its Cocoa Life logo’ – presents significant ramifications for the company, the broader food...
Grupo Bimbo, W.K. Kellogg and PepsiCo: How bakery and snack giants are driving innovation through awards and accelerators
In an industry driven by taste and trends, how are bakery and snack leaders setting new standards and rewarding excellence?
Five key UPF facts for consumers published by Food Standards Scotland
Simple ultra-processed food (UPF) facts for consumers, covering whether they are unhealthy or safe, have been published by Food Standards Scotland.
Is your bakery ready to rise with Sourdough September?
As autumn beckons and leaves begin to turn, attention turns towards a particular kind of bread.
Are kids still being bombarded with ‘junk food’ TV ads despite tougher regulations?
As the bakery and snacks industries increasingly focuses on health-conscious consumers, understanding trends in food and beverage advertising targeting children is crucial.
Corn flour: The next champion of new product development?
Intentionally designed to avoid the need for dramatic dietary changes, a new study has revealed the heart-health benefits of an ingredient found in the pantry of most households.
How Délifrance is taking on climate change
Agricultural output is the cornerstone of the French bakery specialist’s portfolio – whether that be wheat or the food eaten by dairy cows to produce high-quality butter – which is obviously heavily dependent on the climate.
Toxic trouble in gluten-free goods: Report finds concerning levels of gluten and glyphosate and pesticide contamination
A US consumer advocacy group tested 46 samples of organic and non-organic gluten-free (GF) goods – bread, pasta, crackers, snacks, flour, dessert mixes and chips – for herbicides, pesticides, gluten and minerals.
Breaking down the regulations impacting the EU and US bakery and snacks sectors in 2024
Recent regulatory changes in the US and European bakery and snack industries are rapidly evolving as their respective legal bodies introduce and update laws on nutritional labeling, ingredient restrictions and food safety standards.
The four-day work week: Why more companies should adopt Kellanova’s lead in boosting employee morale and productivity
There is a growing body of research that supports the potential benefits of the four-day work week, yet there remains a pervading scepticism that productivity and revenue will drop. Kellogg’s has had great success in bucking that mindset …
The potential $1.5 billion EUDR cost to consumers
While the EUDR aims to influence global action on climate change, a new study has explored the cost implications that could be passed on to the consumer.
Why are snack prices continuing to rise?
Analysis sheds light on inflation versus the costs of potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, yogurt and ice cream.
‘A snack is a snack, not a meal replacement’: UPFs, Nutri Score, the EC elections, regulations and other issues impacting the European snacks sector
A major concern for the European Snacks Association (ESA) is the debate over ultra processed foods (UPFs), which director general Sebastian Emig believes is not based on scientific fact and is causing confusion among consumers. We caught up with him at...
Why are people with celiac disease suffering more at the tills?
Research by Coeliac UK into the cost of gluten free (GF) food shows that while overall food inflation has reduced over the past two years, Brits with celiac disease are still facing a huge additional burden both in terms of cost and availability.
News snacks: Analyzing business trends in the bakery and snacks industries
From mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to creating new long-term ESG goals and reporting on others, along with a hard stop when it comes to crime, we look at some of the business deals shaping the bakery and snacks landscape.
Weight loss drugs may be melting US ice cream demand
Demand for frozen dairy products in the US has been declining for decades. Consumers' growing interest in GLP-1 weight loss products is putting further pressure on demand.
Is your snack brand ready for the acrylamide challenge?
Are you up to date on the latest regulations and innovations regarding acrylamide in salty snacks? With rising regulatory pressures and evolving consumer demands, it’s critical to stay ahead – are your strategies up to par?
What Fedima’s Code of Conduct demands from bakery ingredient suppliers
The Federation of European Manufacturers and Suppliers of Ingredients to the Bakery, Confectionery and Patisseries has re-endorsed its commitment towards building a more sustainable baking sector.
Will there be room in India’s fiercely contested biscuit market for a new Oreo/Biscoff JV?
India’s all-consuming love of biscuits lays the foundation for a new partnership between Mondelez International and Lotus Bakeries.
Should the UK sugar tax be extended to cakes and biscuits?
Action on Sugar is calling on the incoming UK government to extend the sugar tax to cakes, biscuits and chocolates, citing the ‘proven success’ it’s had with the soft drinks category.
Loaf tanning salons: Major UK retailer fingered for allegedly distorting ‘freshly baked’ claims
The Real Bread Campaign has submitted a trading standards complaint that accuses Lidl of purportedly misleading consumers. It might not be the only one ...
Just how ready is the cocoa sector for EUDR?
Despite a deadline that is still seven months away, the incoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is already driving efforts on the traceability of cocoa supplies. Conversely, the same study found a distinct lack of progress on other critical issues...
Is zero-calorie sweetener xylitol bad for the heart?
Another sweetener has come under fire from researchers, and industry is pushing back.
There’s no smoke without fire: Popular snack flavors set to go up in flames
BBQ, hickory and smoky bacon-flavored potato chips enjoy considerable popularity, often ranking amongst consumers super likes. But that’s about to go up in smoke.
New genetically engineered potato could be a gamechanger for snacks
The Kal91.3 potato can be stored in cool temperatures for long periods of time and produce healthier potato chips.
How the EU elections are expected to impact snack producers
We catch up with Sebastian Emig, director general of the European Snacks Association (ESA) to find out why he is excited about the upcoming elections for the new European Parliament. He also talks about the Green Deal and SNACKEX 2024: an event not to be...
The art of snacking smarter: What are the implications for producers?
As the older demographic increases and live longer, their need for functional snacks is inevitably growing, while the younger generations have wholeheartedly embraced the concept of healthy aging.
How might FDA’s determination of tara flour as ‘unsafe’ impact the reputation of tara gum, which the agency underscores has a ‘well established’ safety profile?
FDA’s determination that tara flour, a plant-based protein that could have sickened hundreds of people who consumed it in a Daily Harvest dish two years ago, is not Generally Recognized As Safe could have negative consequences for tara gum, a...
India’s spice industry under fire: How can the authorities prevent another contamination scandal?
How can India's spice sector bounce back from two high profile contamination scandals? We ask experts in the country to weigh in with their recommendations.
Is the EU going far enough to tackle food waste?
Food waste reduction targets, from factory to fork, are under discussion in the EU. Are they ambitious enough?
China approves safety of gene-edited wheat
The Chinese government has granted approval for the production of the country’s inaugural gene-edited wheat variety, a significant step towards the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) food crops.
Should bread be tarnished with the derogatory UPF brush?
Ultra processed foods (UPFs) are a hot topic, especially on Capitol Hill, which is following the popular stance that they are typically low in nutritional quality, more prevalent in low income societies and associated with a slightly higher mortality...