Regulation & legislation

Action on Sugar turns its attention to energy drinks. ©iStock/HandmadePictures

UK report calls for ban on energy drink sales to under 16s

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A report authored by UK public health lobby group Action on Sugar has called on the UK government to curb energy drink consumption among young people – listing a ban on sales to under 16s as one policy option.

EU court rules that professionals cannot be expected to permanently have all up-to-date scientific knowledge necessary to evaluate each claim in advertising. ©iStock

legal uncertainty and B2B marketing rethink on the horizon?

B2B ads are not safe from health claim regulation: EU court confirms

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Court of Justice of the EU has confirmed that commercial communications addressed solely to health professionals must respect the nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) like any other marketing addressed to consumers.

'Coconut oil has a bit of a history in [knowledge gaps]...' ©iStock

Fads in focus: Coconut oil – panacea or artery clogger?

By Simone Baroke

There is barely a food or beverage category that has not been invaded by coconut in some shape or form, says Euromonitor International contributing analyst, Simone Baroke. But is the world justified in going loco for coco?

Industry responds: 'The belief they can obtain all the nutrients necessary from the average UK diet poses a very real risk to the health of both mothers and their unborn children.' ©iStock/Antonio Gravante

Pregnancy multivitamins: A waste of expectant mothers’ money?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

So-called multivitamin and mineral pregnancy supplements are “an unnecessary expense” for most expectant mothers, according to a review of current UK guidance for pregnancy supplementation. Yet industry has called the statements dangerously misleading. 

©iStock

UK microbiome start-up wins investors as platforms expand

By Shane Starling

Publicly listed UK start-up Optibiotix has €4m+ in the bank and is pushing forward on a series of microbiome-focused nutrition projects that include a joint research initiative with weight management giant, SlimFast.

EFSA's interactive database on botanicals 'broadens the possibilities', says consultant. © iStock.com / AlexRaths

Comprehensive compendium given new searchable format

EFSA adds botanicals to interactive data warehouse

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) botanical interactive database will be fully up and running by early 2017, something one expert called a “great result”. 

Nutrient profiles would send a clear message to the industry: If you plan on using this health claim on X, Y or Z product, don’t bother filing it. © iStock.com / pixinoo

Caffeine claim calamity should give nutrient profiles wings

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Commission has started the first phase of its investigation into the need for nutrient profiles, with a report expected in spring 2017. Yet with the caffeine claim fiasco ongoing, it’s never been clearer how necessary the profiles are.

A Higher Nature astaxanthin-based product...set to receive marketing support from its supplier AstaReal

British campaign takes astaxanthin to the people

By Shane Starling

Swedish-Japanese astaxanthin specialist AstaReal is working with its UK brand partners to push awareness of the carotenoid’s skin health benefits – even in the absence of approved health claims.

Why did 52% of the electorate of the UK vote to leave the European Union?  © iStock.com / lenscap67

All you need to know about Britain's Brussels blow

A dummies' guide to Brexit

By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn from a southern European expat bunker

Confused about all this talk about Brexit in that far-away rainy country of crumpets and Beatles? Not quite sure who Nigel Farage is? (Lucky you.) Well we’re here to guide you through it. Disclaimer: I am British and voted Remain.

©iStock

Chat with a chief

Frutarom firming nutrition form after 4 years

By Shane STARLING

In 2012 Frutarom appointed a new chief of its health and nutrition division, with the Swiss-Israeli flavours and ingredients house making no secret of its ambition to expand its supplements and functional foods footprint.

The head of the Commission's DG SANTE food legislation unit outlines three possible solutions to the EU's botanical woes. © iStock.com / JPC-PROD

The botanical blockade: EC ponders 3 pathways

By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn from Brussels

The European Commission has mused three different solutions to the botanical extracts situation that has seen about 2000 claims stuck on hold. Yet real movement will not be seen in the immediate future, a DG SANTE head has said.  

'My personal view is that, unless it is clearly explained as a property of the food, it is a health claim or a reference to general well-being, which needs to be accompanied by an authorised health claim.' © iStock.com

SPECIAL EDITION: ANTIOXIDANTS, POLYPHENOLS & CAROTENOIDS

Why antioxidant claims have been killed off in the EU

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

European regulatory restraints have killed off antioxidant health claims as lawyers advise firms to play it safe despite leniency in some EU member states. We round up the legal status of the term, and the impact this has had on the market.

The power of antioxidants in lowering the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, and Crohn's disease has been well documented. © iStock.com / Daniela Andreea Spyropoulos

Special Edition: Antioxidants, polyphenols and carotenoids

Inflamed & stressed: Rejuvenating antioxidants in big demand

By Will Chu

Healthy ageing and the insights garnered from micronutrient studies could help drive demand for products that reduce inflammation and ease oxidative stress on the body, according to industry experts.

 Supplement start-up looks to offer a 'modern yet natural solution for a world in which healthy fasting has become more difficult'. © iStock.com / alexkich

Not so fast: First fasting supplement takes cautious approach to claims

By Lynda Searby

Start-up Nowrish has launched the first fasting supplement - a mix of vitamins, minerals and herbs formulated to support the body’s cleansing, immune, digestive and energy production systems during periods of fasting like Ramadan, but without making any...

Parliament concerns over energy drinks come to a head as MEPs vote to veto caffeine health claims. © iStock.com / KatarzynaBialasiewicz

MEPs vote to veto 4 caffeine health claims

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee (ENVI) has adopted a last-minute motion that could see four controversial caffeine claims vetoed in a move the energy drink sector warns could result in yet more years of "legal uncertainty”.

Boswellia: 'There needs to be a focus on the quality of the extracts...But I believe the industry can clean itself up.' ©iStock

'When the price is low you should be suspicious.'

Action needed to curb boswellia adulteration: QC analyst

By Shane Starling from Paris

Boswellia serrata adulteration remains a major problem in the EU and elsewhere and responsible players need to do more to identify fraudulent material and actors, an expert has said.

Flop: Network marketing company Forever Living Products has suspended a seller's account after the ASA cracked down on unauthorised health claims made on her Facebook group. © iStock.com / dolphfyn

ASA puts maca claims to bed following Facebook fallout

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has warned a Facebook user not to repost claims that a Multi-Maca supplement could up sperm count for men and enhance fertility for women.

The global energy drink sector is set for robust growth but could regulations and health concerns chill expansion? ©iStock

Sector to grow 40% by 2020

The world’s unquenchable thirst for energy drinks

By Shane STARLING

Global sales of energy drinks hit €38.2 billion last year and will be worth €53.4bn in 2020 according to Euromonitor International, even as regulatory winds blow ill beneath the sector's wings. 

Basil Mathioudakis is promoting EU food legislation around the world after retiring from DG SANTE leadership last year. © iStock.com

Public figure profile: Basil Mathioudakis

'EU food regulation is world's best': EC veteran on life after DG SANTE

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

After retiring last February as head of the European Commission’s DG SANTE food legislation unit, Basil Mathioudakis is spreading the world globally about the merits of the EU’s food and nutrition regulation as a consultant to industry and governments.

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