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13-Feb-2012 - Anyone who has spent any appreciable amount of time working in the food industry realises that the issue of ‘junk food’ marketing to children is a hydra that rears two heads for every one cut off.

Lobbyists, start your engines: Can a new health claims formula be won in the European Parliament?

12-Dec-2011 - Five years ago the European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) became law. Around the bloc, hopeful EU healthy foods and supplements stakeholders submitted more than 44,000 health claim applications.

Supplements – understanding the possibilities, accepting the limitations

24-Oct-2011 - As the furor fades over whether multivitamins boost mortality risk, a new study shows the true benefits of supplements, and industry shouldn’t be timid in promoting the implications.

Multivitamins and mortality: ‘Seeing-what-you-want’ science

14-Oct-2011 - During a week when the industry gathered under clear blue skies in Las Vegas to celebrate 15 years of SupplySide West, black clouds rolled in and unleashed a short sharp downpour: I am of course referring to the articles published on multivitamins and vitamin E.

The uncomfortable truth about Campbell's salt u-turn

18-Jul-2011 - It’s enraged dieticians and delighted the Salt Institute. But Campbell Soup’s high-profile u-turn on sodium raises some difficult questions about reformulation for all stakeholders.

Back to school: Why history offers lessons for nutrition’s future

06-Jul-2011 - Understanding how our ancestors ate and appreciating what nutrients we need from an evolutionary perspective is finally getting the headlines it deserves – the nutrition industry should take note.

EU researchers revolted as EFSA clears health claims vault

04-Jul-2011 - The European Food Safety Authority last week delivered the fifth batch of article 13, general function health claim opinions bringing the total issued to 2723. There are just 35 to go – to be published next month in a final mini-batch that will conclude the task begun in August 2008.

Risk, rationality and that schizophrenic beast called the food industry

27-Jun-2011 - If the food industry wants journalists and consumers to get real about risk, then it has to get real too.

FDA's enforcement deserves loud applause

13-Jun-2011 - A flurry of seizures, criminal charges, and warning letters shows that FDA is increasing it enforcement of dietary supplement regulations. Good for FDA and good for industry!

Bisphenol A in can linings – a storm is brewing

03-May-2011 - Is the tidal wave of concern over bisphenol A (BPA) that swept away polycarbonate baby bottles containing the chemical about to cause similar mayhem in the food and beverage can sector?

Too early to start praising PepsiCo for new plant bottle

28-Mar-2011 - The new PepsiCo plant bottle appears to tick all the “green” boxes for a disposable drinks bottle but the innovation should not be taken too seriously until it arrives on shelves.

Women. The most wasted resource in food production

08-Mar-2011 - Today is Pancake Day. It is also International Women’s Day. An important date, then, not just for food lovers in countries where Mardi Gras is a big deal, but a day to consider the role – and the potential – of women involved in food provision all over the world.

The balancing act of allergen labelling

01-Mar-2011 - The food industry has a responsibility to label allergenic ingredients as big and bold as they can – but also not to over-egg the slimmest of slim possibilities that a trace amount of an allergen may have slipped into a product.

Arab Revolt underlines the need for action to remedy high food prices

21-Feb-2011 - When Tunisian street vegetable vendor Mohamed Bouazizi chose to end his life in fiery suicide, no one could have foreseen the firestorm his death would unleash across the Arab world. But, two months later, as the Arab Revolt shows no sign of fading, the lessons to be drawn about food security are becoming abundantly clear.

‘Eat less’: A difficult message for industry

07-Feb-2011 - The new dietary guidelines give the food industry the clearest map yet of what is necessary for a healthy diet – but no one is fooled by assertions that industry is already in line.

Why local foods systems are an opportunity for industry

07-Feb-2011 - The food industry should not rage against the idea of professionalised local food systems, nor unleash its lobbying force to uproot them before their green shoots can reach maturity. Rather, it should explore ways to benefit from local foods and, in turn, foster their development.

Sugar: regulatory sweet nothings leave food and drink makers in limbo

02-Feb-2011 - Jazz singer Nina Simone’s plaintive, “I want a little sugar in my bowl”, will strike the right note with Europe’s beleaguered sugar industry.

Newsweek slams antioxidants: Yawn!

31-Jan-2011 - Monday mornings are never easy. As I read yet another article slamming antioxidants the desire to yawn was stronger than normal.

The naked truth about kids’ food advertising

24-Jan-2011 - It was an Emperor’s New Clothes moment for the US food industry last week, when it was revealed that a major initiative touting its responsible advertising to kids actually allows promotion of many unhealthy foods. Is anyone really surprised?

EC complacency on dioxins weakens Europe’s food safety standing

19-Jan-2011 - The complacency being exhibited by Brussels over the ongoing dioxin contamination incident is every bit as concerning as the carcinogenic chemical that has found its way into the food and feed chains since the end of last year.

Healthy food vouchers are no golden ticket

03-Jan-2011 - Change4Life healthy food vouchers are just the ticket for food industry marketers. But changing eating habits requires consistent, co-ordinated policy – not hand-outs to ease the population’s post-Christmas conscience.

Are health claims making your business sick?

23-Dec-2010 - 2010 has been another tough year for the European functional food and supplements industries as health claim rejections have continued to flood in, leaving some in a state of high anxiety, fear and dread. Others are just mildly annoyed at a situation they see as being grossly unfair.

The food industry in 2010: A retrospective

20-Dec-2010 - As 2010 draws to a close, our journalists look back at the issues that have topped agendas across the food, beverage and dietary supplements industries in the last 12 months. Commodity prices, Bisphenol A, obesity, health claims, safety regulations, and more…

PepsiCo pays a high price for a gamble in Russian dairy

08-Dec-2010 - When PepsiCo put up $5.4bn last week to acquire Wimm-Bill-Dann, it was seduced by the promise of high revenue growth but like any high-yield investment the Russian deal does not come without risks.

EU food safety left rudderless by Commission move on BPA

29-Nov-2010 - The hand on the tiller that is food safety in Europe has been left somewhat unsteady by the recent regulatory actions taken by the European Commission on BPA and food colours – moves that are pandering to consumer fear and showing contempt for the food safety agency it created.