31 August 2026 — The European Commission has opened a call for evidence on the implementation of the EU’s new rules for plants produced using new genomic techniques (NGTs). The consultation covers the criteria and verification process for Category 1 NGT plants, considered equivalent to conventionally bred plants, as well as the consent and authorisation procedures for Category 2 plants and their products. The feedback will feed into an implementing regulation setting out the

The Turkish Plants Commission published two scientific opinions on the safety of the following plants: 1. Pinus nigra, Pinus brutia and Pinus sylvestris cones The Plants Commission concluded that the liquid product obtained by boiling the green cones of P. nigra, P. brutia and P. sylvestris species in water must comply with the limits specified in the Turkish Food Codex Grape Molasses Regulation in terms of HMF and contaminants, and the label must include the footnote: "Produ

On 26 June, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 in the Official Journal on plants obtained through certain new genomic techniques (NGTs) and their products, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/625. The regulation aims to modernize the existing legislative framework in light of scientific and technological advances in plant breeding by establishing two distinct authorization pathways for NGT-derived plant products. Category 1 (NGT-1) covers plants with geneti

On 11 August the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a report presenting a new mapping table linking Codex food codes with the corresponding EU food commodity codes set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. The initiative aims to support the scientific assessment and consistent implementation of Codex Maximum Residue Limits (CXLs) for pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs) within the European Union. Codex CXLs may be incorporated into EU legislation wher

The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Regulation (EU) 2025/40, began to apply generally on 12 August 2026. Subject to transitional provisions, it replaces the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and establishes harmonised rules covering all packaging and packaging waste in the EU. The PPWR introduces requirements concerning packaging composition, recyclability, recycled content, minimisation, labelling and reuse. These obligations will be phased

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 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

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

On 25 March, the French food safety agency ANSES published a report calling for urgent action to reduce cadmium exposure, warning that the population is primarily exposed through food due to widespread soil contamination. Its assessment shows that dietary intake accounts for up to 98% of cadmium exposure in non-smokers, with staple foods such as cereals, potatoes, and vegetables as the main contributors, while smoking further increases exposure. Biomonitoring data also point

Authorities in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland have launched consultations on updated criteria for the Keyholefront-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme. The revision aims to align the voluntary scheme with the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 (NNR 2023). The Keyhole symbol identifies products with a healthier nutritional composition within a food category, such as lower salt, sugars and saturated fat and/or higher fibre and whole-grain content. The most significant pr

We are thrilled to announce that our team member Efi Leontopoulou – Manager, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs - will be participating on the judges panel of the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards 2026 ! These awards recognise the innovation of companies in several areas of health and nutrition. The awards will take place as part of Vitafoods Europe on 5-7 May 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. Don't miss the opportunity to participate!

A new set of national guidelines from the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) aims to encourage more students to eat school lunch, as one in three lower‑secondary pupils currently skip it. The Management Report of 2026 National Guidelines for Meals at School highlights that many replace the meal with snacks, sweets, and sugary drinks, which negatively affects both health and academic performance. According to the agency, the main reason students avoid school lunch is not t

In the context of one substance - one assessment framework, on 12 December 2025 European Commission published three legislative documents aimed to increase the simplicity and transparency of EU rules on chemicals, as follows: Regulation (EU) 2025/2455 establishing a common data platform on chemicals, laying down rules to ensure that the data contained in it are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable and establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals.

The European Commission has announced a new amendment to its food supplement regulations, increasing the permitted levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from Schizochytrium sp. (ATCC PTA-9695) oil. Published in the Official Journal on 10 November, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2245 updates the conditions of use within Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. Under the new scope, the maximum allowable DHA in food supplements rises from 250 mg per day for t

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its 2025 Eurobarometer survey on Food Safety in the EU, capturing attitudes...

A draft regulation from the Minister of Health has been released proposing to regulatefood products sold to children and young people in...

Dr Nikolaus Kriz has been nominated by the European Food Safety Authority’s Management Board to serve as Executive Director for a...

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released the fourth edition of its Compendium of Botanicals. The new edition now includes...

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a decree requiring schools to provide children with five healthy meals per week, ensuring...

Italy has introduced a new labelling requirement for prepackaged products that undergo quantity reductions while being sold at the same...