Regulation & legislation

EFSA budget plateaus despite growing workload

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has announced plateauing budgets for the next three years and staffing reductions of 10% running up to 2018 – despite its increasing responsibilities.

EFSA issues first probiotic health claim

‘We were wrong’

EFSA issues first probiotic health claim

By Kawzan Ayphect

The European Fool Shaving Agency (EFSA) has approved the EU’s first probiotic allegation after years of playing hard to get your health claim.

Seaweed & Co: “[DNA testing] will help differentiate material from cheap, nasty stuff coming onto the market with no testing whatsoever,.”

"The good thing about this is that DNA doesn’t lie.”

DNA seaweed authentication test launched in UK

By Shane STARLING

UK bulk seaweed ingredient supplier Seaweed & Co has teamed with Geneius Laboratories to develop a DNA-based seaweed certification test after working together for five months.

Probi is currently awaiting the verdict on a response to its 13.5 health claim stating: “Lactobacillus plantarum 299v increases non-heme iron absorption.”

Iron absorption probiotic hits Swedish shelves

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Swedish manufacturer Bringwell has launched a probiotic for boosted iron absorption using Probi’s FerroSorb, while a health claim on the ingredient remains under consideration.  

© iStock

Special edition: Protein perspectives

Whistle stop tour: Protein global

By Shane STARLING

Western Europeans are numero uno when it comes to per-capita protein consumption; bread is surprisingly the most popular protein medium; and protein has well and truly invaded the healthy snacking category.

For athletes, getting enough protein has been problematic (© iStock.com)

Special edition: Protein perspectives

Probiotics flex their muscles to enhance protein efficacy

By Will Chu

Protein has long been touted as the prime functional food ingredient that is able to deliver improvements in athletic performance and recovery, stave off loss of muscle mass with ageing and help with weight control.

47 products from the online and in-store retailer JY Nutrition Limited were in violation of six different pieces of legislation. © iStock.com

Wales gets tough on dangerous supplement seller

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Welsh Trading Standards has handed out thousands of pounds in fines and a 26-week suspended prison sentence to a business selling pharma- and health claim- laden supplements.

Healthy ageing is not just about older members of society

#NIAgeing16. Free. Online. March 29

Finding hidden wealth in healthy ageing

The world’s population is ageing and people want to be healthy, longer – but can foods, drinks and supplements help? Our free online event tackles this multi-billion question from multiple angles, tapping key markets like Japan and gathering experts across...

Consumer groups have called for a pan-EU ban on energy sales to under 18s following bans in Lithuania and Latvia. © iStock.com / mearman

What if... the EU banned energy drink sales to under 18s

By David Burrows

An EU-wide ban on selling energy drinks to under 18s would see volume sales fall by over 70 million litres, if the impact of similar legislation in Lithuania is anything to go by. The low-priced end of the market would be hit hardest, with standard and...

The company believed the advert did not feature any health claims but rather comparative claims with a competing product. © iStock.com / PaSta77

Competitive boasting lands supplement player in heat

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Be careful what you say about your competitors, it could be considered a health claim, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has told supplement retailer Genr8online.

Earlier this month at Probiota, Yolanda Sanz stated that microbiota changes should be linked to physiological or clinical outcomes of which a direct effect on human health can be attributed to a specific mechanism of action.

Dispatches from Probiota 2016

Recent risk-reduction claims ‘have not been positive,’ say EFSA.

By Will Chu

Earlier this month at Probiota in Amsterdam, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stated that microbiota changes should be linked to physiological or clinical outcomes of which a direct effect on human health can be attributed to a specific mechanism...

The ASA counts up which adverts recieved the most complaints in 2015 - with issues of harm and offence dominating the top ten list.© iStock.com / BrianAJackson

Top 10 most complained about ads of 2015

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Protein World and Omega Pharma were among the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ten most complained about adverts of 2015 – both of which faced accusations of promoting poor body image in women.

ECF: “I can’t speak for coffee companies but the claims might be used as general information on product websites rather than on coffee products.

Bean boon? EC prepares for long-awaited caffeine claims

By Shane STARLING

The EC has drafted four endurance and cognition health claims for caffeine indicating a belated entry into EU law books five years after EFSA first approved them – but industry isn’t holding its breath.

Online forum to raise awareness of health risks of consuming energy drinks particularly among young people. © iStock.com / MSPhotographic

Germany asks: When do energy drinks pose a risk?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has launched an online forum entitled ‘Energy Drinks: When do they pose a risk?’, which it hopes will raise awareness of the risks of high consumption in conjunction with alcohol and sports. 

Southeast Asia nearing its goal of harmonised supplement standards

Soapbox

Southeast Asia nearing its goal of harmonised supplement standards

By Dr Gloria Mao, Amway principal toxicologist

Last October, the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Asean, completed and agreed to a single set of standards and technical requirements for product labelling, manufacturing, stability testing, limits of contaminants, safety,...

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