Blog archive

Food inflation & apples, IGD global retail trends 2023, Competition & Markets Authority to scrutinise green washing in the food & drink sector, greenwashing litigation and the prospect of EU 'green claims' legislation, Fairtrade new online map launched, ASA advertising rulings on unsubstantiated claims, and identifying ads. Finally, 6 additional standards to be added to Defra's Sustainable Farming Incentive

This proposal represents a seismic shift into defined recycling requirements, specific targets and mandatory standards across Europe by way of the use of a Regulation.  It is likely that even companies outside the EU market are likely to follow these requirements.  It is recommended companies affected should take a proactive approach engaging across their sector and via the use of strategic impact assessments. In this way businesses may best understand their packaging portfolios and be able to develop robust packaging strategies that will contribute to preparing to comply with the objectives of the draft regulation.

Professor Susan Jebb, the Food Standards Agency chairwoman, made a speech stating Cake in the office should be viewed like passive smoking. Energy intake, our daily bread, or even cake, is essential for living; unlike smoking or passive smoking. Professor Jebb would have been discussing the need to be supportive of a healthier lifestyle. However, the reference to passive smoking does imply the need for legislative restrictions to seek to underpin this.

It is 10 years since the Horsemeat food fraud scandal that rocked the food sector. Great improvements have been made but don't be complacent. Food fraud could mean unsafe food, unfit for human consumption and/or food without proper traceability and safety checks, not of the nature, substance or quality demanded, either by the consumer or your contractual terms, entering into our food products with potentially criminal liability for directors who are unable to establish they took all due diligence and reasonable precautions to avoid committing offences under food legislation.

Food & Agri Update Friday 20 Jan - Chinese lunar new year. FSA's professor Susan Jebb likens bringing cake into the office to passive smoking, a headline grabbing comment but one that doesn't add up. The GCA annual survey is of vital importance. Latest GSCOP case against Lidl £2.6mn claim. 10 years since horsegate - have we progressed? ASA rulings re targeting appropriate audience. CMA blocks Cerelia acquiring Jus-Rol. Food Standards Agency annual report. Aged meat safety assessment by EFSA. Deposit Return Scheme and EU waste packaging proposal reviewed #FSA #ASA #defra #gca #packaging #gscop #cma #waste #obesity #tobacco #litigation #hfss

Draft regulations the Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc. and Polystyrene Containers etc.) (England) Regulations 2023 have been published to ban the supply of single-use plastic in England from October 2023. Key definitions and exclusions, including the meaning of packaging, are reviewed.

A recent Advertising Standards Authority ruling has underlined the importance of stating #ad in order to ensure marketing communications are obviously identifiable as adverts.

At the Oxford Farming Conference on 5th January, Farming Minister, Mark Spencer, announced more money for farmers and landowners through both the Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes.  He also confirmed an expanded range of actions under the schemes, which farmers could be paid for, would be published soon.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a consultation on its draft annual plan for 2023 to 2024.  As food & agriculture continues to be of interest to the CMA, the CMA’s draft annual plan will be of particular relevance to businesses in this sector.

Food & Agri update Fri 13 Jan - Defra energy update April 2023 to March 2024 #energybilldiscountscheme ASA rulings on promotions. Northern Ireland Protocol IT sharing agreement. Net Zero independent review and single use plastics upcoming legislation #food #agri #update #energy #promotions #defra #asa #plastics #netcarbon #ecolabelling

Food & Agri Update - Jan 6th. What was the Christmas market like for the food sector? volumes slightly down, prices up and own label comes out on top over branded. Farmgate misery continues for dairy farmers with the potential for milk shortages later this year. A review of farming minister, Mark Spencer's, Oxford Farming Conference speech where public goods over food security were highlighted. ASA rulings looked at - just how far-reaching is the requirement of 'obviousness' for marketing communications? Finally, health and safety - new year resolutions never overlook your employees safety and reviewing policies AND practice as a baking company is fined £858,000.

Annual Roundup: looking at 2022 and ahead to 2023. Regulatory developments and key themes of obesity and health, AgriTech, novel foods, gene editing, EU revocation Bill, Environment, sustainability and packaging, carbon claims and food security.