The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) organises the annual conference on research in food safety. This year, the conference focuses on Emerging food contaminants: from PFAS and other POPs to Microplastics - Risks, Impacts and Regulation. This conference, supported by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), serves as a vital platform to foster collaborations within Luxembourg. Date: Monday 28 September 2026, 14:00 to 19:00 Place: Cercle Cité (Luxembourg

The East African Community (EAC) has proposed a major revision of its soft drinks standard, introducing a dedicated regulatory framework for energy drinks for the first time. The draft standard, DEAS 29-1:2026 Water-based Flavoured Drinks – Specification – Part 1: Carbonated and Non-carbonated Soft Drinks, would replace the current standard EAS 29:2000 and establish a new structure for regulating the beverage sector. A key feature of the proposal is the division of the existi

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has launched a public consultation on a proposed regulatory framework for Complementary Health Products (CHPs) under the Health Products Act (HPA). The consultation is open until 29 July 2026 and covers a wide range of products including health supplements. The proposal forms part of Singapore’s ongoing effort to transfer the regulation of CHPs from the Medicines Act to the Health Products Act, with full implementation targeted by t

The Georgian government has postponed its ban on certain beverages sold in plastic bottles from 1 February 2027 to 1 February 2031. The change was introduced by Decree No. 173, published on 1 May 2026. From 2031, the production, import and sale of the covered beverages in plastic bottles will be prohibited, except for products manufactured for export. Existing exemptions remain unchanged, including drinking water in containers of at least three litres and other beverages in c

Panama has formally adopted the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) 67.01.07:10 on the General Labelling of Prepackaged Foods, completing the implementation of the harmonised regional framework developed within the Central American Integration System (SIECA). The regulation is already in force in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition to adopting the harmonised regional labelling requirements, Panama introduced a country-specific prov

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has published an opinion concerning a severe case of liver and kidney damage associated with the excessive consumption of two sports nutrition supplements: Isostar Mass Gainer and Eafit Pure Whey. The case involved a consumer who developed decompensated cirrhosis, acute renal failure and ultimately required a liver transplant. Following an investigation launched in October 2025, ANSES concluded

On 10 June 2026, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in Qatar has introduced a Food Establishments Guide for Food Recall Requirements, establishing a comprehensive national framework to standardise and strengthen procedures for recalling unsafe or non-compliant food products. This initiative aims to enhance consumer protection and reduce food-related risks, aligning with international food safety best practices. The guide clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of al

Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) continues to strengthen the national halal ecosystem by signing several strategic partnerships with national and international partners. The partnerships signed include a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), a Recognition Agreement (RA), and cooperation to strengthen halal product assurance (JPH) with universities. The first collaboration was the signing of an MRA between BPJPH and the Moroccan Institute of Standardization (I

The 49th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL49), held in Ottawa, Canada, from 11 to 15 May, completed its work on new guidance for precautionary allergen labelling (PAL). The text has been incorporated into the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1-1985) and will be submitted to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption at its meeting in July. After several years of discussion, the Committee finalised the guidance following two

The Gulf Legislation Platform was officially launched on 14 June 2026 at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters. The initiative aims to strengthen legislative integration across GCC member states by providing a unified electronic reference for Gulf-wide legislation and national laws adopted within the framework of joint Gulf action. The platform facilitates efficient access to legal and legislative documents, supporting government entities, legal professionals, researchers

A new study from the European Commission shows that, as part of the ongoing revision of the rules on animal welfare during transport, digital tools could make it easier for operators and competent authorities to apply and enforce EU transport requirements more efficiently. The study examines how practical solutions could work in technical and operational terms, including: digital journey logs emitted via TRACES geolocation tools for better monitoring of journeys mobile applic

Mexico’s sanitary authority issued new guidance aimed at clarifying the classification of products as food supplements under the current regulatory framework. The guidance, released by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), does not introduce new regulatory requirements or amend existing rules. Instead, it provides additional clarity on how the authority interprets and applies current provisions in practice. In particular, the document ou