Nutrition and health – Euractiv

UN food agency warns of hidden health-related costs in EU’s food systems

Maria Simon Arboleas — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 06:06:18 +0000

Health-related costs account for a significant part of the hidden costs of the EU agri-food system, an official of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) explained to Euractiv presenting the results of the UN agency's latest report on the matter.

German minister wants to ban junk food ads for children

Julia Dahm — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:41:27 +0000

Marketing targeted at children and advertising food with too much fat, sugar, or salt could soon be banned in Germany, according to plans presented by Green agriculture and food minister Cem Özdemir.

German minister wants to decriminalise dumpster diving

Julia Dahm — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 13:31:29 +0000

To tackle the problem of food waste, German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir is looking to decriminalise the practice of rescuing food from rubbish containers, including outside supermarkets, called dumpster diving.

German animal welfare label risks distorting EU market, critics say

Julia Dahm — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 13:18:51 +0000

The German cabinet approved Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir's bill for a mandatory animal welfare label on Wednesday (12 October), but the opposition and farming associations warn of inconsistencies within the EU single market.

The fight for Zero Hunger continues

Jean-François Riffaud et al — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 06:13:58 +0000

Hunger has been rising globally since 2014, the risk of famine in some countries is real and malnutrition rates are still very high. Having been a world leader on nutrition through its last seven-year budget, the EU needs to take up its responsibility again, argue a group of advocates.

1 million EU citizens ask Commission to ban wild animals in circuses

Hannah Norton — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:07:20 +0000

Members of the Stop Circus Suffering campaign gathered outside the European Commission's Belraymont building on Wednesday (13 October) to celebrate the collection of 1 million signatures on a petition to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

COVID highlights need for EU to regulate wildlife trafficking

Clara Bauer-Babef — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:02:35 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need to regulate the trade in live wild animals, who could carry viruses. In Europe, the lack of regulation on this subject represents a major health risk.

First gene edited ‘cancer-cutting’ wheat trials get the go ahead in UK

Natasha Foote — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:04:22 +0000

The UK government has granted permission for a series of field trials of gene edited wheat for the first time in Europe, marking a move away from the EU’s stance on the matter.

Gut instinct: Innovative feedstuffs hold huge potential for boosting microbiome

Natasha Foote — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:59:12 +0000

The potential of innovative feed solutions for boosting gut microbiome health of animals remains underexplored, despite mounting scientific evidence indicating that it underpins both animal health and welfare, stakeholders have highlighted.

Animal Health and Welfare: What role for Animal Nutrition?

Jennifer Baker — Fri, 21 May 2021 09:22:19 +0000

Animal health and welfare are key dimensions of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), the European Commission’s pivotal agri-food policy at the heart of the EU Green Deal.

Expert: ‘Climate natives’ should be at the centre of EU’s Farm to Fork strategy

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 20 May 2021 07:54:08 +0000

Europe's vision of the future of food systems needs to be improved with a focus on young generations, who will be putting into practice the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), according to Riccardo Valentini, a prominent agricultural expert, who warned that "everything in this transition that is done without young people is a waste of money".

Almost half of French people have cut meat consumption in last three years

Lucie Duboua-Lorsch — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 14:25:23 +0000

French people tend to eat less meat than before, according to the results of the Harris Interactive survey published on Thursday ( 25 February). This change in eating habits can only be welcomed, both from an environmental and health perspective. EURACTIV France reports.

Italy, Slovenia await Commission to settle balsamic vinegar dispute

Gerardo Fortuna — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:49:22 +0000

Italy is up in arms, trying to defend the world-famous balsamic vinegar of Modena from an attempt to 'standardise' its production made by Slovenia, and the European Commission appears to have until 3 March to settle the issue.

EU regions’ advisory body proposes ‘Mediterranean diet’ label

Gerardo Fortuna — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 10:59:44 +0000

An ad hoc label for food products belonging to the Mediterranean diet is the latest suggestion in the EU-wide food labelling fray to cope with negative effects caused by colour-coded Nutri-score.

Commission dampens bid to end EU meat promotion

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 10:09:37 +0000

The European Commission has softened its stance on phasing out the promotion of red and processed meat in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, and the latest change has received a mixed reception from stakeholders.

Feed additives ‘key tool’ in achieving farming sustainability goals, say stakeholders

Natasha Foote — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 13:49:36 +0000

Feed additives hold enormous potential for reducing the environmental impact of the farming sector, but are not getting the attention they deserve according to farming sector and feed industry stakeholders, who are calling for more focus on the role of feed additives in contributing to sustainability goals.

Spirulina: latest trend or future food?

Lucie Duboua-Lorsch — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:30:59 +0000

After France's National Assembly discussed its "National Strategy on Plant Proteins for Human and Animal Nutrition" on Monday (26 October), EURACTIV France reports on spirulina, a high-protein food and favourite among the French that can help combat malnutrition.

MEPs want Commission to enter the veggie burger fray

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 10:07:59 +0000

European Parliament lawmakers are considering asking the European Commission to step in and help nix any doubts about the terminology used for plant-based meat substitutes, which are gaining in popularity across the EU.

Kyriakides: Investments will match EU’s ambition on sustainable food systems

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 15:24:21 +0000

The EU's determination to become a global leader in sustainability will be matched by investments in solutions to deliver on the commitments set out in the EU's new food policy, Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.

Farm to Fork Strategy: What role of nutrients?

Evi Kiorri — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 14:54:22 +0000

Looking at the future of agriculture in general, and the fertiliser industry in particular, the challenges of sustainable food production are apparent. Growing food demand will force farmers to invest in innovative tools to increase production, ensuring maximum efficiency from...

Food security is no longer an issue in the EU, says Commissioner

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 14:28:21 +0000

Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius has cast doubt on the long-standing primacy of food security over environmental aspects in the current EU food system, suggesting that traditional concerns might give way to issues like climate change, sustainability, or biodiversity.

COVID-19 could be ‘straw that breaks meat industry’s back’ says new report

Natasha Foote — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:46:55 +0000

Nearly three-quarters of the world’s largest meat, fish and dairy companies have been graded as a ‘high' pandemic risk and criticised for their inability to prevent the emergence of new zoonotic diseases in a new report released on Wednesday (3 June).

EU food stocks: Should gear up for a rise of food protectionism?

Aline Robert — Fri, 29 May 2020 13:57:13 +0000

The EU is preparing to change its agricultural storage policy at a time when the COVID-19 health crisis has highlighted the weaknesses of its reserves. EURACTIV France reports.

Farm to Fork strategy softens stance on meat but backs alternative proteins

Natasha Foote — Fri, 22 May 2020 12:31:22 +0000

The EU's pivotal Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, presented on Wednesday (20 May), softened its stance on meat compared to the previous draft versions but offered staunch support for alternative proteins, which campaigners said was the first step in the right direction.

Commission upholds highly ambitious targets to transform EU food system

Gerardo Fortuna, Natasha Foote — Wed, 20 May 2020 13:57:23 +0000

After several delays, the EU's new flagship food policy was finally released on Wednesday (20 May), confirming the aspiration of the EU executive to transform the European way of producing, distributing and consuming food.

Kyriakides: No mandatory front-of-pack labelling in the Farm to Fork

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 12 May 2020 06:50:48 +0000

Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides scaled back the ambition of the EU's new food policy during a meeting with agriculture MEPs on Monday (11 May), revealing that it will not provide a compulsory EU-wide nutritional food label scheme.

EU-wide food label should not fall to the back-burner, say advocates

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:36:43 +0000

Advocates for an EU-wide mandatory Nutri-score food label want the European Commission not to overlook the long-awaited harmonisation of front-of-pack nutritional labelling, despite the focus on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

EU food safety passed COVID-19 test, MEP says

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 08:37:24 +0000

The European food supply chain and food safety system are proving to be extremely resilient, according to Europe's People Party (EPP) coordinator at European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, Herbert Dorfmann, as people still manage to find available and safe food on supermarket shelves even in time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

French farmers and MPs call for the creation of European food stocks

Cécile Barbière — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 11:10:41 +0000

French agricultural producers and MPs are urging the European Commission to set up food stocks to avoid falling prices and the destruction of certain food products. EURACTIV France reports.

COVID-19: France calls unemployed to work in fields as borders stay closed

Cécile Barbière — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:33:17 +0000

The French government has called on the technically unemployed French to make themselves available to help farmers with seasonal harvests. But such 'agricultural patriotism' does not bode well with the tightening of containment. EURACTIV France reports.

Coronavirus puts French agricultural production centre-stage

Cécile Barbière — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 15:09:53 +0000

In France, the coronavirus crisis has put the agricultural sector back in the spotlight as concerns persist about the transport of food and seasonal shortages of farm labourers. EURACTIV France reports.

Greenpeace proposes 70% meat consumption reduction by 2030

Aline Robert — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:13:33 +0000

Three burgers a week: that's the maximum amount of meat Europeans should get used to eating, according to NGO Greenpeace, which has been looking at Europe's eating habits. EURACTIV France reports.

Are Europeans ready for an insect-based diet?

Florence Schulz — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 12:27:04 +0000

While insect-based foods have so far been quite a niche product, they are viewed as a highly promising solution to the challenges facing the food industry. Although new EU regulations should pave the way for these products - European eating habits might have to change too. EURACTIV Germany reports.

LEAK: EU’s Farm to Fork strategy will be based on five key targets

Gerardo Fortuna — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 07:15:41 +0000

In addition to longstanding objectives like the reduction of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the European Commission envisages setting three more targets in its new flagship food policy, EURACTIV can reveal.

Food supplements for healthier citizens and a stronger economy in the EU

Pascal Arimont, Simona Bonafè — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 10:30:11 +0000

Food supplements can improve public health and reduce pressure on the sustainability of healthcare systems in the EU. However, to achieve the full potential of the sector, the EU needs a clear political strategy and stable legislative framework write MEPs Simona Bonafè and Pascal Arimont.

EU pressed to address meat reduction, plant-based diet in new food policy

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 09:07:32 +0000

The debate on livestock farming has heated up as a coalition of NGOs urged to EU executive to address the issue of reducing meat consumption in the announced Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy. Meanwhile, a Green MEP has filed a...

Can good food be sold at the smallest price?

Florence Schulz — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:32:00 +0000

Can a pork cutlet which is on special offer be of high quality and still feed the farmer who produced it? Given the current imbalance in Germany's food industry, EURACTIV Germany travelled to Brandenburg to discuss good food and fair prices with one of the region's organic farmer.

How automation can work to support effiency in farming systems

Natacha Haas Guégo — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 07:45:15 +0000

Automation in the farming sector is playing an increasing role in improving the quality of both animal and farmers lives. Pascal Huger, a goat breeder in Thenay in the Loir-et-Cher region, talks to EURACTIV France about his choice to automate on his farm.

New study provides ‘robust evidence’ that sugar tax effective health measure

Natasha Foote — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 09:01:44 +0000

Soft drinks manufacturers in the UK have lowered the sugar levels in their drinks after the government introduced the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) in April 2018 to help combat childhood obesity and related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, researchers have found.

EU health chief wants more information on gene editing

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 12:45:20 +0000

The new EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides wants more information about the controversial issue of gene editing and for now, she seems less enthusiastic than her predecessor Vytenis Andriukaitis.

Our pledge to fight global hunger [Promoted content]

Alan Hoffman — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 11:00:55 +0000

Although everyone can benefit from a healthier diet, the impact of good nutrition can be life-changing to vulnerable populations affected by malnutrition. Share your support on social media with #NutritionForZeroHunger.

Could Germany impose a tax on meat?

Florence Schulz — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:27:07 +0000

Shortly before Germany launches its "green week", Lower Saxony's conservative agriculture minister, Barbara Otte-Kinast (CDU), raised the issue of introducing a meat tax, again, which is something animal welfare activists have been demanding for years. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Fighting Diabesity: The Role of Diet and Exercise [Promoted content]

David Heber — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 06:00:03 +0000

Dr David Heber is the chairman of the Herbalife Nutrition Institute (HNI), which promotes excellence in nutrition education for the public and scientific community and sponsors scientific symposia. The HNI editorial board is made up of key scientific opinion leaders...

Aristoil: Getting the best out of Mediterranean olive oil

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:37:57 +0000

Aristoil, an EU-funded Interreg MED project, has been trying to boost the competitiveness of the Mediterranean olive oil sector by providing innovative methods to identify the “healthiest” part of it.

Commitment to quality: At the heart of everything we do [Promoted content]

Gary Swanson — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 10:00:59 +0000

Building long-lasting relationships with our distributors and their customers is based on a core element: trust.

Contaminated meat scandal exposes Germany’s food safety flaws

Florence Schulz — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 10:53:42 +0000

Three people died because bacteria-contaminated food from a meat producer was sold on the European market. Although the authorities knew about the bacterial discovery, the company was only closed after two weeks. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Fourteen mayors sign declaration to promote sustainable food policies in their cities

Florence Schulz — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 11:25:56 +0000

Fourteen cities announced on Thursday (10 October) that they would pay particular attention to the sustainable and healthy food supply in their cities in the future. This way, they aim to save 60% of the carbon emissions in the food sector. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Riesling will have a very different taste in the future

Florence Schulz — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 06:00:33 +0000

The year 2018 was an excellent vintage for German wine, despite the drought. However, with the climate getting warmer, Riesling, Germany's most famous wine, could start tasting differently. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Organic wine gradually leaving its mark in the French wine industry

Cécile Barbière — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 06:00:59 +0000

While the French people are consuming less wine, they are drinking more organic wine. However, the expense of going 'bio' proves to be an important risk for winegrowers. EURACTIV France reports.

SMEs could lead the change in new EU food policy, MEP said

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 05:29:51 +0000

Europe's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should have a role in delivering the new Farm to Fork strategy, a comprehensive EU food policy outlined by incoming Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said Austrian MEP Lukas Mandl.

Forest protection likely to be new priority for EU Parliament

Florence Schulz — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 06:47:51 +0000

Large areas of forest are being cleared worldwide for the agricultural industry. Although the EU requires its contracting partners to protect the environment, it lacks the means for enforcement. Environmentalists and the European Parliament see an urgent need for action. EURACTIV Germany reports.

France launches public consultation on ‘pesticides-free zones’

Romain Loury — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 13:31:23 +0000

France's government has launched a public consultation about its measure related to creating relatively narrow pesticide-free zones around houses, which civil society sees as insufficient. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.

German cabinet agrees on plan to ban glyphosate, increase insect protection

Florence Schulz — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 10:50:40 +0000

The German government wants to protect insects better and completely ban the controversial weedkiller glyphosate by 2023. It also intends to introduce an animal welfare label, and unlock additional funds for CAP measures that are environmentally friendly. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Lawmakers give nod to EU food policy-making platform

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 06:38:16 +0000

EU lawmakers from different political groups and parliamentary committees are set to give birth to a multi-stakeholder platform that will address EU food policy in a holistic way, EURACTIV.com has learnt.

World’s sixty largest meat, dairy and fish farms ranked in new sustainability index

Florence Schulz — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 06:18:23 +0000

A group of concerned investors has examined the sustainability of the world's largest fattening farms and dairy factories that supply the global food industry. And the results aren't mouth-watering, EURACTIV Germany reports.

Protein discussion likely to be on next European Commission agenda

Aline Robert — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 11:23:23 +0000

Fires that consume the Amazon rainforest are often started by farmers who are attempting to meet the growing demand for soybeans. Now, France wants to convince its European partners of the EU's potential role as a leader on the plant protein market. EURACTIV France reports.

Bad eating generates huge costs to society, experts warn

Gerardo Fortuna — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 09:44:24 +0000

The EU should not lower the guard on non-communicable dietary-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes, as they have a relevant economic impact on citizens' daily life, according to food and nutrition experts.

Organic farmers oppose separate framework for new plant breeding techniques

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 06:15:35 +0000

Any attempt to exclude the so-called new plant breeding techniques from the GMO legislation would deal a severe blow to consumers, farmers and processors, according to the EU organic farmers’ movement (IFOAM).

Civil society abandons EU Commission’s anti-obesity forum

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 12:12:08 +0000

A number of public health NGOs have decided to leave the European Commission-led EU Platform for Diet, Physical Activity and Health, in protest at the lack of progress in combatting obesity and related diseases.

No colour-coded Nutri-Score for Nestlé in Germany

Florence Schulz — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 06:47:31 +0000

Nestlé's plans to introduce a Nutri-Score for its products across Europe have been blocked in Germany, which lacks a legal framework for colour-coded food labels. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Andriukaitis vs Salvini: Back-and-forth on ‘nationalist’ food policy

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 13:44:12 +0000

EU health boss Vytenis Andriukaitis criticised last week (7 June) the "political use" of food safety concerns and country of origin labelling, spurred by nationalist leaders like Italy's Matteo Salvini, who replied he was only defending Italian farmers and fishermen.

German farmers rely on subsidies, says young female farmer

Florence Schulz — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 13:58:55 +0000

The number of young people who want to work in agriculture is shrinking. Those who choose farming in Germany have to put up with high acquisition costs, complicated bureaucratic requirements and a modest income. EURACTIV Germany reports.

World class manufacturing demands standards, consistency and transparency [Promoted content]

Peter Chang — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:00:32 +0000

It is a pivotal time for nutrition companies across the world as more and more people take aim at making healthy living a priority. How can nutritional products manufacturers achieve product quality, consistency and transparency?

Could obesity be a predictor of the next political mayhem?

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 09:47:54 +0000

Unexpected political upheavals such as Brexit or Trump's election could have been foreseen if the obesity rate has been taken into consideration as a socio-economical marker, a nutrition expert provocatively said in this year’s European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow.

Romania cuts VAT rate for ‘healthy and traditional food’

Bogdan Neagu — Thu, 16 May 2019 09:40:51 +0000

The Romanian government has decided to promote the consumption of healthy and traditional foodstuffs by cutting the VAT rate from 9% to 5%. EURACTIV Romania reports.

Nutrition expert: Food labelling needs harmonised and nutrient-rich profiling

Gerardo Fortuna — Fri, 03 May 2019 12:10:51 +0000

Energy-dense foods are cheap while nutrient-rich foods cost more, and this imbalance is at the root of the global obesity pandemic, nutrition expert Adam Drewnowski told EURACTIV. He suggested that policymakers should adopt harmonised nutrient-rich profiling on food labelling in order...

Obesity – the biggest threat to public health [Promoted content]

John Agwunobi — Thu, 02 May 2019 12:29:54 +0000

Obesity rates have tripled, making it the biggest threat to public health. At Herbalife Nutrition, we’re committed to effecting change where it is needed most.

Childhood obesity is a plague on Southern Europe, new WHO report finds

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 06:56:35 +0000

Higher numbers of severe obesity and overweight cases were reported in Southern European, according to a new study from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Treatment and management options are still having a limited impact.

EU curbs trans fats from 2021 to boost heart health

admin — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 06:40:11 +0000

The EU adopted a regulation on Wednesday (24 April) to curb trans fat amounts in products like snack food as part of efforts to fight heart disease and strokes in Europe.

Food industry hails new EU rules on mutual recognition of goods

Gerardo Fortuna — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 06:26:22 +0000

Food industry representatives welcomed the recently revised EU legislation on mutual recognition of goods as a major step forward in the completion of the EU single market. But they said more efforts were needed to improve standardisation, even the well-harmonised food sector.

Only a nutrition-sensitive CAP can deliver on climate and health

Nikolai Pushkarev, Susanne Løgstrup — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:15:55 +0000

The evidence is clear: to secure a thriving future for people and planet we need to collectively transform our eating patterns towards healthier, more plant-rich diets. The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) can facilitate this transition. But several misunderstandings hinder progress.

Healthy Breakfast: definitions, benefits and recommendations [Promoted content]

Florencia Braga — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 06:00:24 +0000

Breakfast is frequently regarded as the most important meal of the day, and although every meal is important, science has shown that a daily breakfast provides a wide range of health benefits not only on physical, but also on mental health.

The importance of dietary fibre in the daily diet [Promoted content]

Jurriaan J. Mes — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 06:00:19 +0000

Nowadays, fibre intake in most European countries is below the recommended levels, with average intakes as low as 12.7 and 13.6g per day in Spain and UK, respectively.

Commission dismisses criticism of EU sugar policy made in a post-Brexit study

Gerardo Fortuna — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 09:13:51 +0000

A UK study setting recommendations for the country's post-Brexit trade and agriculture has challenged the EU's sugar policy of the last decade, saying it stimulated sugar over-production. The Commission stood up for its 2016-2017 sugar quota system and dismissed the claim as unfounded.

Navracsics: ‘Health lifestyle is more than sport’

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 07:31:06 +0000

EU Sport Commissioner Tibor Navracsics praised the involvement of "a wide range of actors" in promoting physical activity in Europe, and called on the private sector to ensure that healthy choices are easier and more affordable for everyone.

Exercise to keep your heart healthy [Promoted content]

Samantha Clayton - Senior Director - Worldwide Fitness Education — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 08:40:13 +0000

Remember those heady days, right around New Year’s Eve, when you made a resolution to finally get yourself a gym membership and start working out again? Because you were dedicated to making 2019 the year you shed those extra pounds...

Tackling obesity: The difficult task of finding the right policies

Gerardo Fortuna — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 06:13:55 +0000

Obesity affects at least one in six adults and one in eight children aged 7-8 across EU countries, putting pressure on policymakers to fight the crisis and nudge behavioural changes in citizens' lifestyles.

Europe’s food safety system ‘overstretched’, auditors say

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 06:04:58 +0000

The European Union’s food safety system is respected across the globe but it’s now “overstretched”, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) said in a report published on Tuesday (15 January), urging policymakers to bolster implementation capacity.

Is eating at the wrong time a handicap for our biological clock? [Promoted content]

Ángeles Rol, Juan Antonio Madrid — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 13:58:28 +0000

Until now, research to address the rising incidence of overweight, obesity and metabolic diseases has focused on analysing the impact of diet composition by asking: what are we eating? However, less attention has been paid to another aspect of nutrition: when are we eating?

Stakeholders say digitisation key to optimise fertilisers’ use

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 06:51:37 +0000

The digitisation of Europe’s agricultural sector will play a crucial role in optimising the use of fertilisers in order to help feed a rising population and simultaneously to decrease their negative environmental footprint.

EU fertiliser industry at the crossroads between nutrition and energy [Promoted content]

Jacob Hansen — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 06:40:39 +0000

We live in fascinating times where technology is evolving at an ever-increasing pace, spurring major shifts in many industries. This is also the case for the fertilizer sector, writes Jacob Hansen, director general of Fertilizers Europe.

Governments lack policies to support food sector in low carbon transition – report

Claire Stam — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 14:32:22 +0000

Unlike the energy sector, agriculture does not benefit from public policies geared towards a low carbon transition, which means farming is still a significant contributor to climate change due to meat over-consumption, a new report published on 16 October revealed.

Science and public opinion: Where do politicians stand?

Gerardo Fortuna — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 04:33:33 +0000

Policy makers, industry and civil society are trying to find a way to reconcile scientific evidence with public opinion’s beliefs when it comes to food safety. However, this has proved time and again to be a difficult challenge.

Business confidentiality: The ‘hot potato’ of new EU transparency rules on food

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 05:50:25 +0000

EU stakeholders are playing ping-pong with the body that will be responsible for deciding whether or not to break business confidentiality and make industry studies public, in line with the terms of the new transparency rules on food safety. EURACTIV.com reports from Parma.

Spirulina, the ‘miracle’ algae being established in the Nantes region

Cécile Barbière — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 05:04:17 +0000

Spirulina, an ancient algae with many nutritional qualities is still not widely grown in Europe, which is, however, a major consumer of this “super food”. In the Nantes region, a market gardening group has ventured into greenhouse farming with the support of European funds. EURACTIV France reports.

Navracsics: EU call for healthier lifestyle is progressing, but more efforts are needed

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 07:51:05 +0000

The European Commission launched the Tartu Call for a Healthy Lifestyle a year ago, mostly to address rising obesity in the EU and promote physical activity, and it has already produced “concrete results”, Tibor Navracsics, the commissioner for education, culture, youth and sport, told EURACTIV.com.

EFSA boss: Our advice should not be misused for short-term political interests

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:29:14 +0000

The selective approach of some campaign groups regarding the credibility of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) results in a “general erosion of trust” in the bodies designed to protect public health, EFSA director Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

Consumer group urges Germany to stop opposing colour coded nutrition labeling

Claire Stam — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 12:46:11 +0000

Consumer organisation Foodwatch has called on German Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Klöckner to give up her opposition to a Nutri-Score food labelling scheme, after Belgium announced this week it will introduce such a label, following similar moves from the UK and France.

Europol: Massive seizure of fake pesticides which could spray the size of the UK

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 12:06:01 +0000

Europol’s annual Operation SILVER AXE III seized the largest-ever amount of illegal or counterfeit pesticides in Europe this week. But the fact that such massive amounts of illegal pesticides are available has raised concerns about both the economic and health costs.

What’s in a beer? The road ahead for consumers’ right to know [Promoted content]

Pierre-Olivier Bergeron — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 05:30:46 +0000

Beer drinkers like clear, consistent, honest communication. That’s why Europe’s brewers have voluntary committed to providing consumers with the list of ingredients and nutrition information in full accordance with EU law, a decision welcomed by policymakers and NGOs alike.

Commission: Third countries should meet EU antibiotics requirements on animal exports

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 12:09:58 +0000

Non-EU countries that export animals and animal products to the bloc will have to abide by new rules on veterinary medicines when it comes to the use of antibiotics, according to the European Commission.

School canteens find it difficult to be supplied with local products

Cécile Barbière — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 04:05:15 +0000

Local farmers are increasingly sought after by catering establishments, which want to improve their food supply and enhance local production. However, public procurement rules hinder their plans. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Science-based policy making: reality or fake news?

Daniel Guéguen — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 04:47:26 +0000

‘Evidence-based policy-making’ constitutes one of the key slogans of the Juncker Commission and the Better Regulation agenda. But reality reveals a wide gap between theory and practice, writes Daniel Guéguen.

Science, public opinion and policy-making

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 04:44:05 +0000

The re-authorisation of Monsanto’s weedkiller glyphosate and the ban of three neonicotinoids – a class of insecticide – have opened a heated debate on the role of science in policy-making.

Commission throws the ball to EU capitals on future of short food chains

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 04:32:24 +0000

The development of short food supply chains (SFSC) is constantly gaining ground in the EU. Producing and consuming locally is seen as a way to achieve fairer remunerations for farmers and higher quality local food products.

PEST committee boss insists on toxic pesticide to protect organic winemakers

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 10:42:16 +0000

We should stop focusing on economy over health when it comes to pesticides, said MEP Eric Andrieu, the president of the PEST committee in the European Parliament. But in the case of toxic copper, he urged member states to keep in mind that the viability of organic winery is at stake and that alternatives to copper are very limited.

Corteva boss: ‘Mother Nature’ changes the game quickly and demands new agricultural tools

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 10:19:18 +0000

“Mother Nature” is changing quickly and this requires the adoption of technology-driven solutions that will help both growers and consumers, Jim Collins, the chief operating officer of Corteva Agriscience, the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, told EURACTIV.

Plain packaging: ‘Brand-theft’ or better consumer protection?

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 11:25:49 +0000

The rising trend of imposing plain packaging on unhealthy products has raised eyebrows in the industry, which fears that its brands are under threat. The World Health Organisation, on the other hand, insists that the measure provides a long-term benefit for public health.

Insufficient consideration for food issue in CAP

Claire Stam — Wed, 30 May 2018 11:25:38 +0000

Olivier De Schutter, a co-chair of the international expert panel IPES-Food, calls on the European Commission to lay the foundations for a Common Food Policy. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Innovation in animal health: Sifting the tangible actions from the political ideas

Roxane Feller — Wed, 30 May 2018 04:28:08 +0000

Over the past fifty years, the EU has done a stellar job in moving from a very fragmented national approach to animal disease control to a progressively more harmonised system of animal health measures, disease surveillance, diagnosis and control, writes Roxane Feller.