environment
FSA to focus on food safety
The UK coalition government has put an end to intense speculation about the future of the FSA by revealing that it will be retained – but with a renewed focus on food safety. The Department of Health will become responsible for nutrition policy in England, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will […]
‘FSA to be abolished’ claim
The UK coalition government is to abolish the Food Standards Agency – the food watchdog set up to protect consumers after the ‘mad cow’ disease crisis – and reassign its duties elsewhere, according to government sources. However, a Department of Health spokesman insists no decision had yet been made on the future of the FSA. […]
EFSA invites opinion on draft GMO risk guidelines
As part of an ongoing consultation with stakeholders, EFSA has announced its intention to call a meeting in September with environmental NGOs on its guidelines for the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). The revised draft ERA guidelines are the result of two years’ work by scientists from all over Europe. In […]
Tetra Pak increases FSC offering
Tetra Pak has revealed that it plans to offer 3.3 billion beverage cartons bearing the label of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to customers in Germany over the next 12 months. This represents about 50% of the annual production of Tetra Pak cartons in Germany. “As a leading producer of food packaging we set standards […]
Spotlight on pressing issues
Pressing issues for the food industry, including ways in which to provide safe and healthy food for a global population that is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, were addressed at a recent meeting of EFSA representatives, European and Italian institutions, the Spanish presidency of the EU and food chain stakeholders. Other topics discussed […]
40th anniversary for butcher with a safe pair of hands
Swapping goalkeeping gloves for butchery overalls turned out to be a wise move for Roy Dixon, who is this year celebrating 40 years in the food industry. Though the former Manchester City player never made it to the first eleven – unlike his youngest son, BBC football analyst Lee who played for Arsenal and England […]
Country of origin labelling a step closer
Clear country of origin food labelling has moved a step closer after the European Parliament Environment and Consumer Protection Committee voted in favour of requiring country of origin to be labelled on meat, poultry, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables and other single-ingredient products. “This is a significant victory and I would like to thank […]
Plastic recycling targets ‘unachievable’
New plastic packaging recycling targets set by the UK government are unachievable and potentially counterproductive, says a leading industry body. The British Plastics Federation (BPF) says a proposal to increase plastic packaging recycling to 56.9 per cent by 2020 is ‘not achievable in less than 10 years’. The new targets detailed in a consultation paper […]
Merger for French Food Safety agency
The French Food Safety agency (AFSSA) is to be merged with the French Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (AFSSET). The combined agency, which the French Government says will be ‘a clearly identifiable player on the international scene’, will be operational by 1 July, 2010. The new body, which is yet to be given […]
2010 will be a landmark year for food and drink sector management of green issues, predicts Campden BRI
The coming 12 months will be pivotal in setting the stage for food and drink industry environmental sustainability through the next decade and beyond, according to Campden BRI. A significant shift in the measurement and management of environmental impact is predicted by the research organisation. It suggests that as the sector continues to navigate this […]
Top award for McCormick
McCormick UK, the British subsidiary of spice and herb firm McCormick & Company, scooped the Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year title at the recent Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2009. Well known for its Schwartz brand, McCormick UK won the award for the improvement of its environmental performance and reduction of its carbon footprint in […]
Beneo Institute up and running
Beneo Group has launched the Beneo Institute – a new arm of its operation that will help its customers innovate in ‘increasingly complex and strict regulatory environments’. Speaking at the Fi Europe trade show in Frankfurt, Beneo Group executive board member Yves Servotte said the increasing regulatory demands placed on the functional foods industry was […]
UK retailers hit target on environmental pledges
With less than a month to go before the crucial Copenhagen climate change conference, a string of major household-name UK retailers say they have met challenging environmental pledges ahead of schedule, and are committed to meeting even more demanding targets. One of their key achievements is a 130,000 tonne reduction in the amount of waste […]
Meat and fish waste under the spotlight
A resource map outlining where and how much meat and fish – as well as it associated packaging – is wasted in the supply chain is to be developed in a bid to cut all three. The new research, led by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and Envirowise, will identify the amount of food […]