Tag: Regulatory & Govt. Policy

France accelerates transition to circular economy with new ban on plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables

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FRANCE – The ministry of environment in France has announced a ban on plastic packaging for an extensive list of fruits and vegetables from January 2022 in a bid to cut packaging consumption, particularly the use of single-use plastic.  The ban will affect around 30 fruits and vegetables which include courgettes, aubergines and cucumbers, as well as apples, oranges and pears.   The French ministry of environment estimates that 37% of fruits and vegetables are sold in packaging, mostly single-use plastics which end up in landfills.  With the new ban, the ministry expects to…

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FDA issues voluntary sodium reduction guideline, wins lawsuit over its GRAS rule

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USA – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has released voluntary sodium reduction guidelines for 163 categories of processed food, including baby food, snacks and foodservice items.  According to a statement from the food regulator, the guidelines, which have been pending since 2016, are nonbinding recommendations for manufacturers and foodservice to follow for the next two and a half years in order to cut down on the average consumer’s sodium intake.  Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Director Susan Mayne noted in a joint statement these targets will help reduce average sodium…

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Amendment on allergen labelling takes effect in UK as many food businesses play catchup

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UK – UK Food Information Amendment, popularly known as Natasha’s Law has taken effect in the United Kingdom promising an increased level of protection for many consumers who are allergic to certain foods.  Under the new law, food businesses will be required to provide full ingredient lists and allergen labeling on all food that is pre-packaged for direct sale.   The 14 allergens that must be declared by law when used as ingredients are: 1. Celery 2. Cereals containing gluten 3. Crustaceans 4. Eggs 5. Fish 6. Lupin 7. Milk…

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Alcohol shortage looms in India’s Delhi state as private liquor stores shut down

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INDIA – India’s national capital Delhi is facing a possible shortage of alcohol supply shortage after the 260 privately-run liquor shops closed down on September 30. Under its new excise policy, the Delhi government ordered the closure of private liquor stores and has allocated fresh licenses to private firms for 850 shops that will enter the retail business from November 17.  During the one and half month transition period, only government stores – which number about 460- will remain operational creating fears of alcohol shortage among residents.  Naresh Goel, president of…

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UK competition watchdog puts businesses on notice over greenwashing claims

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UK – Businesses in the UK have until the end of the year to ensure their environmental claims comply with the law, otherwise, they risk being charged, the UK Competition and Markets Authority has revealed.  Environmental claims are claims which suggest that a product, service, process, brand, or business is better for the environment, according to the CMA.     They include claims that suggest or create the impression that a product or a service has a positive or no impact on the environment.  Environmental claims are genuine when they…

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Malaysia bets on new dairy project to reduce reliance on milk imports, create jobs

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MALAYSIA – Malaysia’s Johor State Government and the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) have signed a collaboration agreement to develop a new project aimed at raising the country’s dairy production capacity.    Dubbed the JemaluangDairy Valley (JDV) project, the new project is part of the overall strategy in turning the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) into the ‘Dairy Valley’ of Malaysia.   The JDV project will be built on 275 hectares of land in Mersing, Joho, and will be modeled on the Muadzam Shah Cattle Research and Innovation Centre…

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India to introduce ‘front of package label’ to help consumers make healthier food choices

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INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced plans to introduce front-of-package (FoP) labeling on packaged foods to help consumers make healthier food choices.  The move by the Indian food regulator is in response to concern over increasing consumption of junk food leading to obesity in youth and children in India.  According to a recently published study, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in India has increased rapidly in recent decades and is projected to worsen during the forecast period ending 2040.   According to the PLoS study, the prevalence…

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European insect sector bound for exponential growth following EU decision to greenlight use of insect proteins in poultry and pig feed

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EUROPE – The European Union (EU) Commission has adopted the decision to amend the feed ban regulation, allowing the use of processed animal proteins (PAPs) and insects to feed non-ruminant farmed animals such as pigs and poultry.   According to the commission, the decision was based on the scientific opinion by the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) which showed that certain specific feed ban measures were no longer justified.     The commission’s decisions follow approval from both the European Parliament and Council as well as the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF)…

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India food regulator FSSAI asks e-commerce companies to end classification of plant-based products as dairy

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INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed e-commerce platforms to delist plant-based products as dairy milk products in line with a government regulation that non-milk products cannot be classified and sold as ‘dairy’ products.  “The general standard for milk and milk products under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations clearly lays down guidelines for use of dairy in the nomenclature of products,” FSSAI noted.   “These regulations state that use of any dairy term for a product which is not milk or a composite milk product is prohibited and any such action is in…

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UK meat industry turning to prisons in desperate attempt to bridge labor gaps

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UK – The UK meat industry is now turning to prisons in the hope of finding enough work force to bridge the current labor gaps that have deepened in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. The meat industry in the UK has in the recent past been grappling with a dwindling work force as most experienced workers have found themselves being forced to self-isolate once coming into contact with a person that is later tests positive for Covid-19. The situation has been further compounded by Brexit which restricted EU migrant…

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