Keith Barthelme’s Post

The majority of consumers want to know where their food has come from. Unfortunately, current labelling of meat and dairy products is often unclear and misleading and doesn’t always provide customers with the information they need to avoid factory farmed products. Method of production labelling is already compulsory on shell eggs, so customers can easily see the system used to produce them - whether it be caged, barn, free range, or organic. In turn, this has increased demand for higher welfare eggs, helping to drive welfare improvements for millions of egg-laying hens. Labelling works! It is so important mandatory method of production labelling is extended to meat and dairy. Join us in responding to the Government consultation via the link below.

Coordinated efforts between public and private sectors play a crucial role in safeguarding the health and welfare of poultry. 🐔 In this article we delve in the efforts made the province of Entre Ríos, in Argentina, who is actively seeking to streghten collaboration between both sectors to enhance the well-being of birds, ensure food safety, and bolster the livelihoods of those engaged in this vital industry. You can read more about it below:

Historic Decision: Pursuant to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Directive to Advance the Field of Alternative Proteins in Israel – Beef without using Animals was Approved Today Three years ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the then Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Director General to form a team to advance the field of alternative proteins based on the understanding that it would lead to innovative economic strengthening of the State of Israel, provide food security and food safety, and promote animal welfare. The team, led by the PMO Director General, included the Health Ministry, the Innovation Authority, the Science Ministry, the Economy Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry. Pursuant to the team's work, regulatory permits were issued this year for the production of milk without using cows, and – today – meat without using animals. Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Israel is the first country to approve the sale of cultured meat. This is a global breakthrough in the field of alternative protein and important news for food security, environmental protection and concern for animals." Over the past year, Prime Minister Netanyahu has held several tours and meetings with cultured meat companies, and discussions together with supportive Israeli economic leaders. Cooperation between the relevant Government ministries and companies in the field have led to this breakthrough.

And we are on! Announced by the Secretary at State, Steve Barclay at The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) this week, we will soon be consulting on improving labelling regulations so that food information is standardised, clearer and transparent to ensure that: 🛒 it is easier for consumers to buy food that aligns with things they care about, such as animal welfare and supporting British farmers. 👩🌾 farmers are fairly rewarded for producing to high standards. Well-designed labelling reform can be a powerful tool to enable the market to drive wide-scale change by creating a level playing field for the industry. This can be harnessed to transition to a fair, sustainable, healthy food system. For example, after the introduction of mandatory egg labelling, the market share of free-range eggs increased from c.30% to c.70% today. Supermarkets pledged to go cage-free and chose to sell, promote and market free-range eggs making them more available, accessible and affordable for consumers. Myself and the team have been beavering away over the Christmas period to get this ready. Upholding commitments made in the Government's Food Strategy, this builds on 3-years of policy work, evidence gathering and industry engagement. Now for a short break and mini adventure in Colombia🌞! #ofc24 #orfc24 #backbritishfarming #animalwelfare #sustainablefoodsystems #sustainablefood #foodlabelling #defra

JCF are pleased to share insights from our recent consultation response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' 'consultation on fairer food labelling'! 🌱🍽️ We delved into the crucial areas of Country of Origin and Method of Production #labelling, advocating for clearer information to empower consumers and support animal welfare. - Since mandatory #egg labelling was implemented in 2004, there's been a remarkable shift in consumer awareness and market dynamics. With increased transparency, the market share of free-range eggs has surged from less than 30% in 2004 to over 60% in 2023. Yet, while eggs boast mandatory labelling, many other animal products lack this essential transparency. - Our policy asks aim to make it easier for consumers to choose products that align with their values, while also rewarding farmers who exceed baseline welfare standards. - Our guiding principles for labelling reform prioritise evidence-based approaches, collaboration across the supply chain, and simplicity for consumers. Additionally, we advocate for stringent regulations governing national flags on meat packaging, ensuring accurate representation of origin and rearing location. We eagerly await Defra’s response and anticipate providing consumers with the necessary information to make informed choices and champion ethical practices in the food industry. Stay tuned to the Defra website for our comprehensive consultation response! #FoodLabelling #AnimalWelfare #ConsumerEmpowerment 🔗 https://lnkd.in/emCeskbs

Informal Sector Stakeholder Engagement towards Improved Food Safety and Nutrition in Africa: a consultation workshop with informal food sector representatives to create inclusive guidelines for governments to develop regulatory frameworks that improve food safety, enhance livelihoods, and support the informal food sector in diverse contexts across the continent. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) #foodsafety #Resilientcitiesinitiative #AfricanUnion

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued a notification on June 7, 2024, announcing the Honey Grading and Marking Rules, 2024, under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937. Authorized packers must adhere to these regulations to maintain the quality and safety of honey products. The honey must be packed in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules. The grade designation mark, consisting of the "AGMARK Insignia" incorporating the certificate of authorization number, must be marked on the packaging as per the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Contact us: customer.care@mindsync.co.in | +91 8951644484 | www.mindsync.co.in #MindSyncIndia #MindSync #WeAreMindSync #HoneyGrading #HoneyMarking #AgricultureRules #HoneyQuality #HoneyStandards #MinistryOfAgriculture #FarmersWelfare #HoneyRegulations #FoodSafety #legalmetrology #ExportStandards #HoneyTrade #AgriculturalProduce #CarviaCallosaHoney #HoneydewHoney #BlossomHoney #IndiaAgriculture #AGMARK #PackagingRegulations #LabelingStandards

Animal feed safety should be handled and managed with the same rigor as food safety, particularly concerning chemical contaminants. Mycotoxins, which occur naturally, are produced by various types of fungi in different agricultural commodities, and they significantly impact livestock productivity. Once introduced into the food chain, they present a substantial health risk to both animals and humans. It is imperative that strategies for mycotoxin management in the animal feed industry prioritize food safety. Several independent studies have demonstrated the presence of Ochratoxin A, Aflatoxins, Zearalenone, Deoxynivalenol, Citrinin, Sterigmatocystin, and T-2/HT-2 Toxin in animal meat and meat products (Zou et al., 2012; Wu et al., 2013; Mahmoudi, 2018; Ibrahim et al., 2018; Cao et al., 2018). A multi-mycotoxin control strategy based on Biochip Array Technology is highly effective in safeguarding animal and human health from farm to fork

🇰🇷 To facilitate the implementation of the animal-based food import hygiene evaluation, on April 12, 2024, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of #SouthKorea released a draft revision of the Allowed Countries (Regions) and Hygiene Requirements for Imported Livestock Products for public feedback until May 2, 2024. ✅ Key points: - Hygiene requirements for imported animal-based food are established. - Countries where animal-based food imports are permitted are listed. - Ostrich meat and eggs are specified as animal-based food. You can check the following article for more details. #marketaccess #hygiene #import #foodsafety #meat #regulatorycompliance

USDA Proposes New Policy to Reduce Salmonella in Raw Poultry Products WASHINGTON, July 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today issued a comprehensive proposed rule and determination to more effectively reduce Salmonella contamination and illnesses associated with raw poultry products. This is the culmination of FSIS’ three-year effort to reevaluate their strategy for controlling Salmonella rates in poultry and protect American consumers from foodborne illness linked to consumption of poultry products. https://lnkd.in/gSyFKz7B