FOOD SAFETY

New rules and rising risks challenge food safety

Food safety in the Netherlands? Still solid. But developments are piling up, and the food industry has to stay alert. Regulations are tightening, public concerns are growing, and oversight is under pressure. Reporting..

New lab, new opportunities: NutriControl expands significantly

09 July 2025

They’ve got it: the keys to their brand-new premises on De Amert in Veghel. NutriControl, the go-to lab for food analysis and food safety for over 50 years, is about to take a major step forward. Growth, innovation, mome...

Facts over fiction: new reference guide on E numbers

07 July 2025

Folkert Fennema, owner of Fennema Food Development, has launched Het complete E-nummer handboek – Van E tot Z. The guide brings together current, factual information on E numbers for professionals in the food industry. T...

NVWA intervenes more frequently on food safety

07 July 2025

Food safety remained a top priority for the NVWA in 2024. Over 48% of its capacity was allocated to inspections in this area. The meat sector received the most attention, accounting for more than half of the total oversi...

Stricter NVWA oversight on animal welfare and pesticides

04 July 2025

In 2024, the NVWA had its hands full with animal health and welfare. About 8% of its total capacity went toward animal diseases, and 9% was allocated to welfare. Inspectors carried out 3,755 checks related to animal heal...

Wiersma: Food is the foundation of everything

02 July 2025

A crate filled with Dutch products was presented to Minister of Agriculture Femke Wiersma as a welcome gift during the third edition of NLvoedt, held on 1 July at Nieuwspoort. The event marked the end of the political se...

Information Sheet 85 becomes the Handbook on Food Microbiology

27 June 2025

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has published the Handbook on Food Microbiology, which replaces Informatieblad 85. The handbook is intended for businesses involved in the production, pro...

BuRO: Stricter rules needed for cultivated meat tastings

25 June 2025

Kweekvlees proeven klinkt als toekomstmuziek, maar de praktijk is al begonnen. Toch blijkt de veiligheid bij deze proeverijen nog niet goed geregeld. Dat stelt BuRO, het bureau voor Risicobeoordeling & onderzoek, in ...

Merick Schoute: 'It’s all about creating awareness'

23 June 2025

At the end of our interview with Vakblad Voedingsindustrie, Merick Schoute from Holie’s humbly says they were ‘lucky to break through.’ But that couldn’t be further from the truth: a creative mindset, smart strategy, a s...

Recalls due to metal or plastic? Microscopy offers a solution

23 June 2025

Foreign particles in food remain a sensitive issue—especially when it involves metal or plastic. These types of findings can quickly lead to recalls, headaches, and reputational damage. Getting clarity fast is essential....

Clean shoes at Marne Mosterd thanks to BOOTSCLEANER

19 June 2025

Marne Mosterd is one of the first food companies in the world to adopt an innovative shoe cleaner. This BOOTSCLEANER disinfects the inside of work shoes using UV-C light, which eliminates bacteria and fungi. On the fa...

Residues on soft fruit: washing has little effect

18 June 2025

The summer season has begun, and strawberries, raspberries, and peaches are back on the shelves. Yet the same questions return each year: is this fruit safe to eat, and does rinsing it help? Social media is full of lists...

New dietary guidelines from the High Health Council

18 June 2025

The Hoge Gezondheidsraad (High Health Council (HGR)) in Belgium has issued 17 new dietary recommendations aimed at improving public health. The focus is on reducing red meat consumption, increasing plant-based alternativ...

Faster PFAS detection and better removal

16 June 2025

PFAS are now found everywhere; in products, in the environment, and even in living organisms. Because these substances hardly break down, global concerns are mounting. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR) is le...

Food fraud costs the food industry billions each year

16 June 2025

What’s really on the table? That’s the question the EUIPO is asking producers, retailers, and consumers to raise awareness of the risks of counterfeit food and drink. The damage goes beyond economics—it also threatens pu...

EU imposes steep import duty on Chinese vanillin

13 June 2025

Chinese vanillin is set to become significantly more expensive in the European market. The European Commission has introduced a definitive anti-dumping duty of 131.1 percent. With this measure, Brussels aims to prevent E...