FOOD SAFETY

Smaak & Co aims for high-risk production environment

Smaak & Co takes no risks when it comes to food safety and quality. The producer of fresh cream cheese products and tapas aims for a high-risk production environment. To achieve this, the company collaborates with re..

PAN: Rising number of PFAS pesticides in fresh produce

28 February 2024

A worrying trend has emerged with the increasing presence of PFAS pesticides in fruits and vegetables, as revealed by recent research conducted by PAN Europe and its members. These so-called 'forever chemicals' are spray...

Over 20 algae species admitted to European market

28 February 2024

The Dutch food industry is poised for a significant shift, following the recent addition of over 20 algae species to the EU Novel Food Catalogue. This decision by the European Commission, in collaboration with the compet...

Are processed vegan products healthy or not?

23 February 2024

The debate over the healthiness of processed vegan products remains a hot topic. Contrary to popular belief, the extent of processing or the length of the ingredient list is not always indicative of a product's healthine...

Metal particles found in Merba products

21 February 2024

Merba Bakery has recently issued a statement regarding the discovery of small metal particles in some of their products. This issue came to light following complaints from consumers, raising concerns among customers and ...

NVWA: Elevated acrylamide levels in gingerbread

20 February 2024

Recent research conducted by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has revealed that over half of the gingerbreads sampled contained excessive levels of acrylamide. This substance can be harmful to ...

Stricter standards for honey, fruit juices, jam and milk

08 February 2024

Europe has achieved a milestone in improving standards for food products, particularly for honey, fruit juices, jam, and milk. The political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council to revise and tighten...

The role of TNO and UMC in the new allergen policy

07 February 2024

On January 1, 2024, the Netherlands transitioned to a new allergen policy, with established exposure standards and stricter regulations for warning labels on food packaging. This policy, based on recommendations from the...

Measuring Water Activity: Key points and pitfalls

05 February 2024

Water activity (aw) is a crucial parameter in determining the food safety and quality of a product. However, it is crucial to note that achieving accurate and reliable measurements is essential! In this article, we shed ...

NVWA: Entrepreneurs Fail to Provide Allergen Information

02 February 2024

Entrepreneurs lag behind in providing allergen information in food, warns the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). In 2023, the NVWA checked 6,548 companies to see if they complied with the legal rule...

FAVV Analyses on PFAS in 2023: Reassuring Results

31 January 2024

The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) analyzed 370 samples of various food items for PFAS in 2023. Only 4 samples were found to be non-compliant with the harmonized European standards that came into ...

New Rules for Genetically Modified Plants

30 January 2024

In an effort to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the food system, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have taken a stance on the Commission's proposal regarding New Genomic Techniques (NGT). The Committ...

First KitKat with fully traceable cocoa

29 January 2024

Nestlé, a global leader in the food and beverage industry, has recently launched the first KitKat made with cocoa sourced from the Nestlé Income Accelerator program. This initiative, introduced in January 2022, focuses o...

New Drug Law Also Bans Sweetener Aspartame

29 January 2024

Recent research reveals that the proposed law to prohibit designer drugs unintentionally affects everyday and harmless substances. Interestingly, the popular sweetener aspartame tops the list of banned substances, alongs...

NVWA Simplifies Reporting Guide for Unsafe Food Products

19 January 2024

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has recently streamlined the reporting guide for unsafe food products, aiming to assist entrepreneurs in determining the right time to report to the NVWA. Th...

The dangers of inorganic arsenic in food