Nutrition and health
UN food agency warns of hidden health-related costs in EU’s food systems
Est. 4minHealth-related costs account for a significant part of the hidden costs of the EU agri-food system, an official of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) explained to Euractiv presenting the results of the UN agency's latest report on the matter.
German minister wants to ban junk food ads for children
Est. 4minMarketing targeted at children and advertising food with too much fat, sugar, or salt could soon be banned in Germany, according to plans presented by Green agriculture and food minister Cem Özdemir.
German minister wants to decriminalise dumpster diving
Est. 3minTo tackle the problem of food waste, German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir is looking to decriminalise the practice of rescuing food from rubbish containers, including outside supermarkets, called dumpster diving.
German animal welfare label risks distorting EU market, critics say
Est. 5minThe German cabinet approved Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir's bill for a mandatory animal welfare label on Wednesday (12 October), but the opposition and farming associations warn of inconsistencies within the EU single market.
The fight for Zero Hunger continues
Est. 4minHunger has been rising globally since 2014, the risk of famine in some countries is real and malnutrition rates are still very high. Having been a world leader on nutrition through its last seven-year budget, the EU needs to take up its responsibility again, argue a group of advocates.
1 million EU citizens ask Commission to ban wild animals in circuses
Est. 4minMembers of the Stop Circus Suffering campaign gathered outside the European Commission's Belraymont building on Wednesday (13 October) to celebrate the collection of 1 million signatures on a petition to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
COVID highlights need for EU to regulate wildlife trafficking
Est. 4minThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need to regulate the trade in live wild animals, who could carry viruses. In Europe, the lack of regulation on this subject represents a major health risk.
First gene edited ‘cancer-cutting’ wheat trials get the go ahead in UK
Est. 4minThe UK government has granted permission for a series of field trials of gene edited wheat for the first time in Europe, marking a move away from the EU’s stance on the matter.
Gut instinct: Innovative feedstuffs hold huge potential for boosting microbiome
Est. 5minThe potential of innovative feed solutions for boosting gut microbiome health of animals remains underexplored, despite mounting scientific evidence indicating that it underpins both animal health and welfare, stakeholders have highlighted.
Animal Health and Welfare: What role for Animal Nutrition?
Animal health and welfare are key dimensions of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), the European Commission’s pivotal agri-food policy at the heart of the EU Green Deal.
Expert: ‘Climate natives’ should be at the centre of EU’s Farm to Fork strategy
Est. 7minEurope's vision of the future of food systems needs to be improved with a focus on young generations, who will be putting into practice the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), according to Riccardo Valentini, a prominent agricultural expert, who warned that "everything in this transition that is done without young people is a waste of money".
Almost half of French people have cut meat consumption in last three years
Est. 5minFrench people tend to eat less meat than before, according to the results of the Harris Interactive survey published on Thursday ( 25 February). This change in eating habits can only be welcomed, both from an environmental and health perspective. EURACTIV France reports.
Italy, Slovenia await Commission to settle balsamic vinegar dispute
Est. 4minItaly is up in arms, trying to defend the world-famous balsamic vinegar of Modena from an attempt to 'standardise' its production made by Slovenia, and the European Commission appears to have until 3 March to settle the issue.
EU regions’ advisory body proposes ‘Mediterranean diet’ label
Est. 5minAn ad hoc label for food products belonging to the Mediterranean diet is the latest suggestion in the EU-wide food labelling fray to cope with negative effects caused by colour-coded Nutri-score.
Commission dampens bid to end EU meat promotion
Est. 5minThe European Commission has softened its stance on phasing out the promotion of red and processed meat in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, and the latest change has received a mixed reception from stakeholders.
Feed additives ‘key tool’ in achieving farming sustainability goals, say stakeholders
Est. 4minFeed additives hold enormous potential for reducing the environmental impact of the farming sector, but are not getting the attention they deserve according to farming sector and feed industry stakeholders, who are calling for more focus on the role of feed additives in contributing to sustainability goals.
Spirulina: latest trend or future food?
Est. 5minAfter France's National Assembly discussed its "National Strategy on Plant Proteins for Human and Animal Nutrition" on Monday (26 October), EURACTIV France reports on spirulina, a high-protein food and favourite among the French that can help combat malnutrition.
MEPs want Commission to enter the veggie burger fray
Est. 4minEuropean Parliament lawmakers are considering asking the European Commission to step in and help nix any doubts about the terminology used for plant-based meat substitutes, which are gaining in popularity across the EU.
Kyriakides: Investments will match EU’s ambition on sustainable food systems
Est. 6minThe EU's determination to become a global leader in sustainability will be matched by investments in solutions to deliver on the commitments set out in the EU's new food policy, Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Farm to Fork Strategy: What role of nutrients?
Looking at the future of agriculture in general, and the fertiliser industry in particular, the challenges of sustainable food production are apparent. Growing food demand will force farmers to invest in innovative tools to increase production, ensuring maximum efficiency from …
Food security is no longer an issue in the EU, says Commissioner
Est. 4minEnvironment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius has cast doubt on the long-standing primacy of food security over environmental aspects in the current EU food system, suggesting that traditional concerns might give way to issues like climate change, sustainability, or biodiversity.
COVID-19 could be ‘straw that breaks meat industry’s back’ says new report
Est. 5minNearly three-quarters of the world’s largest meat, fish and dairy companies have been graded as a ‘high' pandemic risk and criticised for their inability to prevent the emergence of new zoonotic diseases in a new report released on Wednesday (3 June).
EU food stocks: Should gear up for a rise of food protectionism?
Est. 4minThe EU is preparing to change its agricultural storage policy at a time when the COVID-19 health crisis has highlighted the weaknesses of its reserves. EURACTIV France reports.
Farm to Fork strategy softens stance on meat but backs alternative proteins
Est. 5minThe EU's pivotal Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, presented on Wednesday (20 May), softened its stance on meat compared to the previous draft versions but offered staunch support for alternative proteins, which campaigners said was the first step in the right direction.