The European Commission has adopted a “New Deal for Consumers” package which aims to empower consumers, promote fairness and build trust across the single market. The package was adopted by the Commission in response to an evaluation on EU consumer protection and marketing directives. The evaluation found such laws need to be better applied, enforced
Category Archives: Food & Agriculture
Subscribe to Food & Agriculture RSS FeedUK ‘Sugar Tax’ Comes into Force – New Guidance Published for Industry
The UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published a series of practical guidance documents and additional online information to assist companies with understanding and complying with the new UK ‘Soft Drinks Industry Levy’, which takes effect from 6 April 2018. The new levy applies to all soft drinks (other than natural fruit
Rules of Origin: a ‘hidden hard Brexit’ for the UK food industry?
The Food and Drink Federation (“FDF“) has published a report on the potential impact of rules of origin on UK food and drink exporters in the likely event that the UK ceases to be part of the EU customs union after Brexit. Rules of origin are the detailed content requirements that determine whether goods are
European Commission Publishes Guidance on Brexit and UK Food Exports
On 1 February 2018, the European Commission issued a notice on the impact of Brexit for food products originating from the UK. The Commission confirmed that, in the absence of a transitional agreement, the UK will become a ‘third country’ from the date of its withdrawal from the EU. This will impact a number of
The Decision Is In, and South Africa Will Soon Tax the Sugar Content of Beverages
Following the 2016 budget speech during which the proposal to tax the sugar content of beverages was first tabled, and after 18 months of vigorous debate, the South African Parliament on Tuesday adopted the taxation of sugary drinks.
One step closer to new rules on organic farming
After three years of negotiations, the European Union is nearing the end of a long process to simplify and harmonise the rules for organic food production and the labelling of organic products. Council Regulation (EC) 834/3007 currently defines the minimum standards for organic products that are produced, manufactured, imported into, sold or traded within the
UK ‘Sugar Tax’ – Draft Regulations Published
The UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published draft Regulations setting out further details on the new UK ‘Soft Drinks Industry Levy’, which will apply from 6 April 2018. The new levy applies to all soft drinks packaged in or imported to the UK that contain added sugar and at least 5
UK Food Standards Agency reviewing Feed Law Code and Guidance
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is consulting on its proposals to amend the Feed Law Code of Practice and Practice Guidance. The Code and Guidance have to be taken into account by local authorities when enforcing feed law requirements in England (there are separate documents for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).
Draft EU List of Authorised Novel Foods Published
The European Commission has published a draft implementing Regulation setting out the proposed official EU list of authorised novel foods. A ‘novel food’ is a food or ingredient that has not been consumed to a significant degree in the EU prior to 15 May 1997. These include products traditionally eaten outside the EU prior to
Majority in favour of improving fairness in EU food supply chain
Initial responses to the European Commission’s public consultation on how to make the EU food supply chain fairer suggest that, bar retailers, the majority of significant stakeholders (including Member States, farmer groups, agricultural organisations and NGOs) are in favour of action at EU level to increase fairness and balance in the food supply chain. The
ECJ sides with farmers on genetically modified crops
The European Court of Justice has held that Member States may not adopt emergency measures prohibiting genetically modified food and feed (GMOs) unless there is clear evidence that a particular GMO presents a serious risk to health or the environment in accordance with Article 34 of the GMO Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. Ruling in favour
Are We Due for a Makeover?
Many have questioned what affect a proposed legislative facelift, to the cosmetic industry, will have on manufacturers, retailers and, of course, on consumers.
CJEU upholds principle of free movement of goods for food supplements
The Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU“) has issued a ruling on the interpretation of Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements, finding that a French law prohibiting the sale of food supplements from other EU Member States containing vitamins and minerals above French national limits is contrary to EU law. The CJEU held that
Medicaid Drug Rebate Program: CMS releases final covered outpatient drug regulation
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Medicaid covered outpatient drug regulation on Thursday, January 21, 2016. Read More: Medicaid Drug Rebate Program: CMS releases final covered outpatient drug regulation
FDA and CMS Make Case Before Congress for FDA Oversight of Laboratory Developed Tests
On November 17, 2015, leaders from both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health regarding regulation of Laboratory Developed Tests, or LDTs. Read More: FDA and CMS Make Case Before Congress for
FDA Offers New Recommendations for Interoperability of Connected Devices
On January 26, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) released a draft guidance document, Design Considerations and Pre-market Submission Recommendations for Interoperable Medical Devices (Draft Guidance). Read More: FDA Offers New Recommendations for Interoperability of Connected Devices
Congress Suspends Medical Device Tax for Two Years
The tax and spending bill signed into law by President Obama last week included a two year suspension of the medical device excise tax. After years of effort by industry to abolish the tax, proponents of the suspension speculate that it may represent a window to full repeal. Read More: Congress Suspends Medical Device Tax for Two
New EMC Guidance Released by FDA
On November 2, 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft guidance document, “Information to Support a Claim of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of Electrically-Powered Medical Devices,” describing the types of EMC information that should be provided in a premarket submission for electrically-powered medical devices. Read More: New EMC Guidance Released by FDA
FDA Offers Clarity of UDI Application to Kits
On January 4, 2016, FDA officially released a draft guidance document Unique Device Identification: Convenience Kits, with further information regarding the Unique Device Identifier (UDI) requirements for labeling and data submission for kits. Read More: FDA Offers Clarity of UDI Application to Kits
When to Alert the Public? FDA Issues New Draft Guidance Document Regarding Public Notification of Potential “Emerging” Safety Issues with Medical Devices
This past year, FDA’s (Center for Devices and Radiological Health CDRH) has dealt with several widely-publicized public health issues related to medical devices. Read More: When to Alert the Public? FDA Issues New Draft Guidance Document Regarding Public Notification of Potential “Emerging” Safety Issues with Medical Devices
Belgian endives on the frontline for price fixing by farmers
Belgian endives are a divisive vegetable: their bitterness delights some but repulses others. And even amongst Belgian endive enthusiast you’ll find some that prefer them raw – to maintain their crispness – while others like them cooked so that their bitterness comes out even more. But Belgian endives are no longer the exclusive battleground of
FDA Calls for Nominations of Difficult to Compound Drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required by statute to maintain a list of drug products that cannot be manufactured by pharmaceutical compounding because they are demonstrably difficult to compound. In a notification released on Wednesday, December 4, FDA announced that it is accepting nominations for drug products to include on the list. In order to be considered for the inaugural list, nominations must be received by March 4, 2014.
Review of issues for 2013
The following is a summary of some of the key issues Congress and the Administration will be debating in 2013. Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to provide further analysis as well as insight into other areas of interest. Agriculture: Tom Vilsack is expected to stay on as Secretary of Agriculture. The
FDA Suspends Sunland’s Registration; First Use of New Suspension Authority
On November 26, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food facility registration of Sunland, Inc., a producer of nuts, and nut and seed spreads. Notably, this is the first time FDA has used its registration suspension authority, which was established by Section 102(b) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Significantly, this