Blog archive

Once-in-a-generation reforms to the Mental Health Act are one step closer to becoming reality...

The health and care regulator is changing its approach to regulation...

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

Government consults over new code of practice on dismissal and re-engagement...

Leaseholders may be required to contribute to the cost of remedying a building safety risk.

Cyber security is a matter of concern for all charities and the National Centre for Cyber Security has published a series of very useful guides and resources to help charities protect themselves.

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.

Today (23 January 2023) the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 come into force.

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

Social media can be a powerful tool for charities but it must be managed very carefully as there are very real risks to contend with. The Charity Commission's draft guidance sets out steps trustees should take to ensure their social media usage is as low risk as possible.