Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s Post

🚨 The Food Reformulation Task Force have published draft energy and target nutrient thresholds to be used during new product development in 15 food categories prioritised for reformulation. 📄 The thresholds are published as draft, and we invite interested parties to provide their feedback on draft thresholds. You can read more about the consultation here: https://ow.ly/oQZ350T1a8w Healthy Ireland Local Government #FoodReformulation #FoodSafety

Reformulation of processed food can lead to products with a healthier profile. Check this WHO policy brief on food reformulation: https://lnkd.in/gdCMDtSZ

This was an incredibly interesting blog to work with the author on. It's about EBT/CalFresh (Federally called SNAP) and the right for recipients to make dietary choices covered by these benefits. Some argue policy should go further into limiting food items from purchase, beyond the standard and obvious 'no hot food, cigarettes, booze, etc.' It's an interesting form of control that policy like this would set, to make choices FOR people about their diet and I think Brandi (who feels very passionately about this) did a really great job expanding on how and why that is harmful. In seeing and experiencing the client side of things, we must also consider the cultural ramifications of making choices for people by limiting what they can purchase. Food justice is such a hot and nuanced topic, it was cool to learn a bit more about it and what it looks like in action :) give it a read, it's about 5 minutes of your day but means a lot for your outlook!

I was quoted in an article by The Food Institute regarding the FDA’s recent decision to ban Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) from our food and drink products. Thank you to Marcy Kreiter for including my insights. The article discusses the FDA's decision to ban brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in beverages due to safety concerns, aligning with actions taken in other regions. This move marks a significant step towards enhancing product safety and prioritizing consumer health, something that, as CEO of BIOSTRIPS, is central to our brand. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ejZGdyCh #ConsumerHealth #ProductSafety #HealthAndWellness

🎉 GOOD NEWS: FDA to ban brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food products! After more than 50 years of studies showing a range of adverse health effects linked to BVO and after the California Food Safety Act passed, the U.S. FDA also took action. IT'S ABOUT TIME! ⏰ BVO is used to suspend citrus flavorings into sodas and juice drinks, where it prevents the flavoring from separating during shipping and storage. There are many other harmful #food additives that the #FDA needs to reassess and that NGOs have been petitioning the agency to revoke approval of for years. Hopefully this is just the beginning of important actions that we will see by the newly restructured FDA to protect human #health from harmful food additives! CNN article: https://lnkd.in/gkYUp_UU The Today Show article: https://lnkd.in/gFpZ2aGN

🚨 Important Update for Food Businesses! 🚨 The recent food ministers' meeting has shifted the decision on mandating the Health Star Rating (HSR) system to regulators. 📊✨ Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Food Regulation Standing Committee will now decide how and if HSR will be mandatory, which could affect your product labeling. Stay tuned for updates and prepare for potential changes! 💼🍽️ What is HSR? The Health Star Rating is a front-of-pack label that rates the nutritional quality of food on a scale from 0.5 to 5 stars. More stars mean healthier choices, based on factors like energy, fats, sugars, and positive nutrients. 🌟🥗 Why the Controversy? The HSR system has sparked debate over its accuracy and impact. Critics argue it may oversimplify nutritional information and unfairly penalize some products, while supporters believe it helps consumers make healthier choices at a glance. 🥦⚖️ Want to know more? Read the full Foo Processing Australia article here: https://lnkd.in/gRxAR95y? For a complete review of what was discussed at the meeting, visit: https://lnkd.in/gmsPZ7uH #FoodBusiness #HealthStarRating #RegulatoryUpdate

📢 The Food Reformulation Task Force and Healthy Ireland are encouraging food businesses of all sizes, including #caterers, #SMEs and the #foodservice sector, to reduce the amount of calories, sugar, saturated fat and salt in food. ✔️ This will ensure better food choices are available to consumers in Ireland. 👉 Learn how to take your first steps towards improving the nutrient content of your food for your customers here: https://ow.ly/Pszz50RJNSr Healthy Ireland Local Government Department of Health - Ireland #foodindustry #food #cooperation #foodsafety #FoodReformulation

Retailers in Wales might soon face new legislation aimed at improving the food environment and helping make the healthy choice the easiest choice for Welsh consumers. The proposed legislation aims to restrict the placement of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) and ban free refills or top-ups of sugary drinks. The consultation period runs from July 1 to September 23, 2024. If approved by the Senedd, the new regulation is expected to come into force next year. Read our latest blog here: https://lnkd.in/et3crUvV #foodandbeverageindustry #regulatorycompliance 

🤔❓The Food Standards Agency wants to hear views on its proposals for regulation and the associated impact of gene-edited food/feed. Please take a look at our guidance and how you can respond to the consultation 👉https://lnkd.in/eRn4GTTm

For over a decade, foodwatch has been at the forefront of campaigning against the presence of harmful mineral oil substances (MOSH and MOAH) in our food. These substances are not only pervasive in our food chain but also pose significant health risks, with MOAH even linked to cancer. 🔍 Our relentless efforts and extensive testing have finally borne fruit. The European Commission has drafted new regulations to limit these contaminants, with a final decision expected by the summer of 2024. This regulation requires approval from both the committee of experts from the 27 Member States and the European Parliament. 👏 Thanks to the support of close to 100,000 citizens real change is within reach. Yet, the journey is not over. We must continue to advocate for strict, uncompromised consumer protection standards without exceptions or extended transition periods. 💪 Join us in this final push by signing our petition to ensure that no detectable MOAH remains in any food within the EU. Let's make food safety a non-negotiable standard! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d6uRTMX6 #FoodSafety #ConsumerProtection #EURegulations #foodwatch #MineralOilFree