News

The Commission's definition of what all includes the group of single-use plastic products can be problematic and can contradict own Single-use plastic directive. This follows from a study by the independent consultancy agency Eunomia published on 21/01/2020. By 07/2020, the EU is to publish guidelines on the Directive, which also regulates what products are a single-use plastic product. The study notes that the current definition excludes certain materials from the ban because they are not officially considered to be plastics - e.g. natural unmodified polymers such as viscose or lyocell polymers. Thus, these materials could continue to be used, although they may not be biodegradable, and are as harmful to the environment as conventional plastics. The study therefore recommends extending the scope of the Single-use plastic directive in general until the July deadline before the guidelines are issued.
More information is available here and here.

The Italian Competition Authority concluded five investigations into misleading consumers - this was misleading information provided on pasta packaging. In four cases, the pasta manufacturers committed themselves to changing the packaging and information on the website in order to clearly distinguish the origin of the pasta and the origin of the wheat. The fine of € 1 million was imposed only on Lidl, which did not submit any commitments to modify the information on the product packaging during the preliminary investigation.
More information is available here and here.

The European Police Office (Europol) informed on 20/01/2020 that an organized group that had trafficked horse meat unfit for human consumption in Spain had been exposed. Cattle, farms and veterinarians were involved in the illegal trade and counterfeiting of documents and horse passports. Compared to the 2013 scandal, when horse meat was presented as beef and sold to several EU countries, the current case is alarming precisely because it is unsuitable for consumption.
More information is available here.

Kellogg's food company announced that all packages of breakfast cereals and cereal bars sold in France will be provided with a Nutri-Score labelling system. The label will appear on the packaging already this year and will be fully implemented by the end of 2021. The Nutri-Score is a labelling system developed by the French National Agency for Health and Food Safety (AFSSA). With the voluntary adoption of the Nutri-Score system, Kellogg's joined major food companies, including Nestlé and Danone. At the same time, these companies call for the mandatory nutrition labelling scheme to be harmonized throughout the EU.
More information is available here.

The World Protein Sustainability Association launched its work at the 50th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the challenges of supplying a growing population of people with more diverse and sustainable protein options, finding new creative solutions, and activating them through pilot programs. In the future, the Association may also focus on the area of food waste, more sustainable production of high protein foods, or protection of ecosystems. The Association will publicly report on progress and commitments during 2020.
More information is available here.