Food & Drink in the EU

Latest news on food policies in the European Union.

132 kg of food waste per EU inhabitant in 2022 — 27 September 2024, 21:54 CET

Around 132 kilogrammes of food per inhabitant were wasted in the EU in 2022, generating 59.2 million tonnes of food waste, including edible and inedible parts, according to Eurostat.

EU countries produced 34.3 bn litres of beer in 2023 — 03 August 2024, 23:37 CET

Germany was Europe's top producer of beer in 2023, while the Netherlands was the top exporter of beer, and the United Kingdom the top destination for EU beer exports, the EU's statistics agency reports.

EU opens cartel probe into food delivery firms — 25 July 2024, 23:52 CET

The European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation Tuesday into whether Delivery Hero and Glovo took part in a cartel in the food delivery sector and thereby breached EU competition rules.

Member States endorse ban of Bisphenol A in food contact materials — 12 June 2024, 18:43 CET

EU states' endorsement Wednesday of a ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials (FCM) means that, after a phase-out period, the chemical can no longer be used in these products in the EU.

Mondelez fined EUR 337.5m for hindering cross-border EU trade — 25 May 2024, 00:37 CET

The EU Commission fined chocolate maker Mondelez International EUR 337.5 million Thursday for hindering cross-border trade of chocolate, biscuits and coffee products between Member States.

Sales of pesticides in the EU down 10 pct in 2022 — 20 May 2024, 23:02 CET

There was a sharp downturn in the quantity of pesticides sold in the EU in 2022, according to data on sales of pesticides released recently by the EU's statistics agency Eurostat.

EU targets microplastics for improved water quality — 11 March 2024, 22:52 CET

The European Commission adopted two new measures Monday designed to enhance the EU’s water resilience and to improve water quality and quantity throughout the continent.

EU revisions to strengthen plant health law — 06 March 2024, 23:39 CET

The EU Council and Parliament reached provisional agreement Wednesday on a targeted revision of the Plant Health Law, which aims to improve and streamline its application and enforcement.

EU sets targets to reduce packaging consumption — 05 March 2024, 18:51 CET

The EU Council and Parliament reached agreement Monday to revamp rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging, including a ban on 'forever chemicals' in food contact packaging.

MEPs reach deal with EU states to better label honey to combat fraud — 31 January 2024, 18:43 CET

Negotiators from the EU Parliament and Council reached political agreement Tuesday to update rules on the labelling, name, composition and presentation of certain 'breakfast' foodstuffs.

Brussels authorises imports of GMOs for food and animal feed — 26 January 2024, 22:47 CET

The European Commission authorised on Friday the use of a genetically modified maize, and renewed the authorisation of two genetically modified oilseed rapes, as food and animal feed.

EU reaches deal on voluntary digital labelling of fertilisers — 24 January 2024, 00:03 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached a political deal Tuesday on the voluntary digital labelling of EU fertiliser products to make fertilisers' labelling, clearer, simpler.. and more digital.

EU rules for animals in transport set for overhaul — 08 December 2023, 23:40 CET

The Commission set out plans Thursday for what it calls the biggest reform of EU animal welfare rules in transport in 20 years, as well as new rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.

Animal Welfare in transport - guide — 07 December 2023, 21:49 CET

The European Commission proposed on 7 December an overhaul of EU animal welfare rules during transport. improve the wellbeing of the 1.6 billion animals transported in and from the EU each year. The new rules reflect the latest scientific evidence and insights as well as technological developments.

MEPs reach deal with EU Council to reduce industrial emissions — 29 November 2023, 22:17 CET

Negotiators from the EU Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement late Tuesday on strengthening the current provisions for emissions from industry and large intensive rearing farms.

Brussels raids online food delivery companies — 21 November 2023, 18:18 CET

The EU Commission carried out unannounced inspections Tuesday at the premises of companies involved in the online ordering and delivery of food, groceries and other goods in two Member States.

Renewal of the approval of glyphosate - guide — 16 November 2023, 23:14 CET

EU Member States on 16 November did not reach the required qualified majority to renew or reject the approval of glyphosate during a vote at the Appeal Committee. In line with EU legislation and in the absence of the required majority in either direction, the Commission is now obliged to adopt a decision before 15 December 2023 when the current approval period expires.

Green light for revised EU fishing control rules to combat overfishing — 13 November 2023, 21:57 CET

The EU Council gave its final green light Monday to a revised fisheries control system, with a view to modernising the way fishing is controlled, and ensuring the prevention of overfishing in EU waters.

EU to strengthen protection of high quality food and drink products — 27 October 2023, 15:38 CET

EU Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional deal Tuesday to strengthen geographical indications (GIs) and other quality schemes for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products.

MEPs want drastic cut in use of chemical pesticides — 24 October 2023, 23:32 CET

A European Parliament committee voted Tuesday to ensure sustainable pesticides use and reduce the use and risk of all chemical pesticides by at least 50 per cent by 2030.

New labelling rules for organic pet food in Europe — 09 October 2023, 18:29 CET

The EU Council gave its final green light Monday to a new EU law aligning rules on labelling organic pet food to those governing organic food intended for human consumption.

EU reduces limits for nitrites and nitrates as food additives — 06 October 2023, 18:50 CET

As part of its plans to protect consumers from carcinogenic substances, the EU Commission set out Friday a set of new reduced limits for the use of nitrites and nitrates as food additives.

EU wine policy leaves a sour taste: auditors — 27 September 2023, 23:26 CET

The EU’s wine policy not only falls short of environmental objectives, but EU measures also fail to target the competitiveness of the sector directly, says a report published Monday by the EU's auditors.

EUR 15m to support sustainable food and organic farmers in Europe — 13 September 2023, 17:05 CET

The European Investment Bank signed a venture debt loan of EUR 15 million Wednesday with CrowdFarming, an online platform for European farmers that sell directly to end-consumers.

EU proposes 2024 fish quotas to address 'dire' situation in Baltic Sea — 28 August 2023, 21:22 CET

The EU Commission adopted its proposal for 2024 fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea Monday, responding to scientific assessment which indicates several fisheries are in a dire situation.