UK children’s foods often higher in fat and sugar, study finds
21-May-2013 - A significant number of foods marketed to children in the UK are higher in fat and sugar than foods marketed to adults, suggests new research published in Public Health Nutrition.
The ‘health halo’ effect: Nutrition claims may lead to bigger portions
20-May-2013 - People tend to choose larger portions of foods when they are marketed as ‘healthy’, suggests new research led by a team from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland.
Health groups urge action on nutrient profiling
17-May-2013 - A group of European health organisations has urged European Commission president José Manuel Barroso to issue a proposal on nutrient profiling as part of a wider EU goal to reduce premature deaths.
WASH: Stealthy reduction still best – but all food needs clearer salt labelling
23-Apr-2013 - Salt content in foods should be clearly labelled to help consumers to choose low-salt options – but food makers should continue to embrace a ‘stealth health’ approach, according to international programme lead for World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) Clare Farrand.
Could the WTO overturn EU health claim laws?
22-Apr-2013 - 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 challenge from governments signed up to the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a Brussels-based legal expert.
What’s next for salt reduction policy?
19-Apr-2013 - European salt reduction initiatives have come a long way over the past few years – but what’s working, and what are the next steps?
Stealth sodium reduction? Consumers are attracted to low sodium claims on foods, says new analysis
18-Apr-2013 - Advertising sodium reduction claims on food labels may increase a consumer’s purchasing intentions, says a new study from Canada that contradicts the industry strategy of ‘stealth’ sodium reduction.
Intelligent evidence: 'Breakthrough' in microbiome sampling promises greater proof for probiotic claims
04-Apr-2013 - A new non-invasive method to test the effects of functional foods and nutrients on the gut flora promises to help industry build solid evidence for health claims substantiation, says NIZO Food Research.
Phosphate study prompts EC request for safety reassessment
04-Apr-2013 - The European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to reassess the safety of phosphates as food additives, after researchers suggested excessive phosphate consumption could be damaging to health.
Foods labelled ‘organic’ may seem tastier and more nutritious
03-Apr-2013 - Consumers perceive foods labelled as organic as tastier and healthier than those without organic labels, even if the foods are exactly the same, according to a study published in the journal Food Quality and Preference.
ASA-OK with us! Nestlé escapes Nesquik rap on ‘poor nutritional habits’ claim
27-Mar-2013 - Nestlé milkshake brand Nesquik has escaped UK Advertising Standards Authority censure after viewers of a TV ad alleged that it encouraged ‘poor nutritional habits’ among children, but the Children's Food Campaign slammed the 'ever-accommodating ASA'.
Nestlé outlines sustainability and nutrition goals
14-Mar-2013 - Nestlé has published a raft of sustainability and nutrition commitments it aims to meet by 2020 or earlier, including sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving nutrition labelling.
Trade bodies issue allergen labelling advice ahead of new law
11-Mar-2013 - The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has issued guidance for industry on food allergen labelling to help companies comply with a new EU law, in collaboration with the UK’s Food and Drink Federation.
Scotland seeks to define scope of independent food authority
05-Mar-2013 - The shape of a new Scottish food body is set to be sketched out following a consultation period opened last week on the responsibilities and functions of an authority separate from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Around the world in numerous food labeling ways
22-Feb-2013 - Smart food labelling must emphasise good science and careful thought about consumer impact, the European Food Information Council has concluded after completing an exhaustive global survey.
Ultra-fine wheat bran plugs health and can improve texture and structure, says Limagrain
21-Feb-2013 - Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) has extended its fibre range with a new ultra-fine wheat bran ingredient that it says can improve structure, texture and nutrition in a broad range of food and beverages.
Calorie labels are ‘wildly misleading’ claim experts
19-Feb-2013 - Calorie labels are misleading consumers by underestimating the energy content of processed foods and exaggerating that of raw ingredients, experts have warned.
AG Barr slams ‘absolutely untrue’ IRN-BRU sugar deception claims
13-Feb-2013 - AG Barr tells BeverageDaily.com it is 'very concerned' by an inaccurate article in UK national newspaper the Daily Mail, claiming it prefers profit to consumer health by hiding sugar values on cans of IRN-BRU Regular.
Food manufacturers slammed for failing to embrace hybrid labels
08-Feb-2013 - Food manufacturers have been attacked for their reluctance to endorse the hybrid front-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme on packs, despite it winning the support of the major multiples and the UK government as the best means of helping consumers to make healthier food choices.
UK’s health department backs standardised front-of-pack nutrition labels
01-Feb-2013 - There is strong support from industry, government and NGOs to work toward consistent front-of-pack nutrition labelling in the UK by spring this year, according to the department of health.