Food & Drink in the EU

Latest business news about Food Safety and Food Policy in the European Union

New rules on pesticide residues to make EU food safer — 29 August 2008, 17:47 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

EU appeals against WTO banana rulings — 28 August 2008, 18:59 CET

The European Commission said on Thursday it had launched an appeal to overturn a WTO ruling against Europe in a long running trade dispute over bananas with the United States and Ecuador.

EU food safety agency disputes products' health benefit claims — 21 August 2008, 21:10 CET

The EU food safety agency is disputing claims of health benefits by food manufacturers, notably that dairy products promote good teeth and healthy body weight in children.

EU sees good grain harvest, pointing to lower food prices — 13 August 2008, 14:12 CET

European grain harvests will improve this year, the EU predicted on Thursday, in line with northern hemisphere trends that are pushing down world prices at last.

EU regulators clear Mars purchase of Wrigley — 28 July 2008, 22:36 CET

The Commission has approved US candy giant Mars' 23-billion-dollar purchase of Wrigley, finding that the deal would not threaten competition.

More evidence for green tea and cardiovascular risk link — 27 July 2008, 10:18 CET

What is so special about green tea? Experts say this tea, which is rich in catechin polyphenols (i.e. compounds that have antioxidant activity), helps lower bad cholesterol levels, kills cancer cells and fights heart disease. New research by a team at the University of Athens Medical School in Greece adds more weight to the latter, highlighting that drinking green tea (Camellia sinesis) improves the function of endothelial cells lining the circulatory system. When endothelial cells dysfunction, atherosclerosis advances, thus increasing cardiovascular risk. The findings were recently published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.

2007 RASFF annual report - briefing — 24 July 2008, 23:06 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

WTO proposal to end EU banana dispute gains support — 24 July 2008, 22:53 CET

A group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have accepted a new tariff level proposed by the WTO to end a dispute over banana imports in the European Union, but want a longer period of time to apply changes, an African official said Thursday.

EU proposes major food aid package but plan faces opposition — 19 July 2008, 11:59 CET

The European Commission proposed Friday donating one billion euros in unused EU funds to farmers in poor countries as a one-off measure to help them tackle spiralling food prices.

EU opens competition probe into dairy merger — 18 July 2008, 17:21 CET

The European Commission on Thursday launched a probe into a proposed merger of dairy giants Friesland Foods and Campina, expressing "serious doubts" it would comply with EU competition rules.

EU clears Pernod Ricard takeover of Absolut vodka — 18 July 2008, 17:12 CET

The European Commission cleared on Thursday Pernod Ricard's takeover of Sweden's Absolut vodka after the French drinks giant promised to sell some brands in order to ensure competition.

EU regulators raid grain traders, distributors — 10 July 2008, 19:59 CET

EU anti-trust regulators have raided the premises of grains and other farm product traders on suspicions they have been operating a cartel.

EU proposes free fruit and veg scheme for schools — 08 July 2008, 18:24 CET

European schoolchildren could soon receive free fruit and vegetables as part of an EU effort to keep them from becoming overweight, according to a European Commission proposal lodged Tuesday.

EU plans in the works for free fruit in schools — 08 July 2008, 12:52 CET

European schoolchildren could soon receive free fruit at school as part of an EU effort to keep them from becoming overweight, according to a European Commission proposal due on Tuesday.

Barroso proposes one billion euro EU fund to fight hunger — 07 July 2008, 10:27 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said Monday he would propose the creation of a one billion euro EU fund to fight hunger and help farmers in poor countries.

EU lifts ban on Bulgaria 'swine fever' pork imports — 01 July 2008, 19:20 CET

The Commission has lifted a ban on Bulgarian pork imports imposed in 2006 following outbreaks of swine fever in the Balkan country.

EU upset at Russian ban on 70 European meat exporters — 25 June 2008, 00:31 CET

Russia, which recently lifted a ban on Polish meat, is now barring chicken and pork imports from 70 European companies, ahead of an EU-Russia summit.

EU response to high oil and food prices - guide — 20 June 2008, 13:37 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about the energy policy of the European Union covering Coal, Oil, Gas, Electricity, Nuclear energy, New and renewable energy sources and Energy demand management.

Malaysia suspends seafood exports to EU — 20 June 2008, 11:16 CET

Malaysia's multi-billion-dollar seafood business has suspended exports to the EU to avoid an outright ban for failing to meet EU health standards.

Asian, European ministers say price rises threaten stable growth — 16 June 2008, 14:06 CET

Asian and European finance ministers warned on Monday that surging prices for oil, food and other commodities threaten stable world economic growth.

Malaysia frozen seafood firms urge EU export ban delay — 11 June 2008, 10:42 CET

Malaysia's frozen seafood industry Wednesday urged the European Union to delay an imminent ban on its multi-billion-dollar exports.

Animal by-products - guide — 11 June 2008, 00:37 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about food safety policy in the European Union.

OECD official urges that biofuel subsidies be scrapped — 09 June 2008, 12:59 CET

An OECD agriculture official urged on Monday that biofuel subsidies be scrapped, saying this was the quickest way to fight rising food prices.

Europeans paying dearly for limits on Brazilian beef: buyers — 05 June 2008, 01:33 CET

European consumers are paying dearly for EU restrictions on Brazilian beef that have shrunk imports to a trickle and sharply raised supermarket prices, buyers say.

EU claims farm aid can help global food crisis — 05 June 2008, 13:18 CET

The European Union's much-criticized farm subsidy system can be part of the solution to the global food crisis and not the problem, the EU's top farm official said Wednesday.