FOOD SAFETY

EFSA positive on E 246 for cheese and meat products

EFSA has identified no safety concerns with the broader use of the preservative E 246. The application covers eleven additional food categories, including cheese and meat products. It also includes pomegranate arils, var..

Europe wants to tackle territorial supply constraints

17 August 2026

Sourcing from the Member State offering the best terms seems logical. Yet retailers and wholesalers face territorial supply constraints. Suppliers can restrict product sales to specific countries. Packaging variations ca...

NVWA finds excessive residues in ice cream and whipped cream

13 August 2026

Residues from cleaning and disinfecting agents can remain in food after cleaning. In 2026, the NVWA therefore tested 95 samples of ice cream and whipped cream. Three products exceeded the legal limit. Two of them were at...

PPWR: New packaging requirements from August 12

04 August 2026

The first new PPWR rules will apply from August 12, 2026. Producers and importers may then only place packaging on the EU market with a valid EU Declaration of Conformity. Food companies therefore need to determine their...

Hygieneplan acquires FoodGuard

04 August 2026

Hygieneplan has acquired FoodGuard. This strategic move brings together both organizations’ knowledge, experience, and expertise in industrial cleaning, hygiene, and food safety. The acquisition strengthens Hygieneplan’s...

78% of Belgians want Nutri-Score on every packaging

27 July 2026

The voluntary use of Nutri-Score is under debate in Belgium. Political proposals focus on food packaging and advertising. One proposal would make the label mandatory on every package. Stricter advertising rules are also ...

Private label? PPWR responsibility lies with the retailer

23 July 2026

Private label is not only about who makes the product. The name on the packaging also matters. If a retailer puts its own brand on a product, FNLI says that also comes with legal responsibility. This is relevant for food...

EFSA lowers safe limit for TFA in food

22 July 2026

EFSA is lowering the safe limit for trifluoroacetic acid in food. This is relevant to the food sector. TFA can form when PFAS substances break down. Certain pesticides may also play a role. TFA can enter the food chain t...

Histamine controls in the fish supply chain fall short

21 July 2026

Histamine management requires greater attention throughout the fish supply chain. European inspections have identified problems with refrigeration, sampling, and professional expertise. Smaller businesses in particular s...

Fewer Campylobacter cases in Dutch poultry chain

21 July 2026

Campylobacter remains a key concern for European food safety. In Europe, the number of human infections is rising, while the Netherlands is reporting lower levels in the poultry chain. According to NEPLUVI’s annual Campy...

Guidance on spoilage caused by spores in plant-based ingredients

20 July 2026

Bacterial spores in plant-based ingredients can cause spoilage and food safety concerns. Five companies have therefore issued joint guidance for suppliers. The guidance covers ingredients used in plant-based beverages. R...

Pesticide policy calls for legal measures

17 July 2026

PAN-NL says the covenant on crop protection products has failed. According to the organization, the agreement remains too weak and too vague. Now that the involved civil society organizations have withdrawn, the governme...

Dutch origin no guarantee of fewer pesticides

16 July 2026

Dutch fruit and vegetables do not contain fewer pesticide residues than products from other countries. This is according to Pesticide Action Network Netherlands (PAN-NL). The organization bases this on NVWA residue tests...

Study: poultry biosecurity can be improved

16 July 2026

Poultry farms can improve the implementation of important biosecurity measures. This is shown by research from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research. Daily routines in particular need attention, such as handwashing and chang...

Stricter import rules for organic food on the horizon

15 July 2026

Stricter rules are on the way for importing organic food from outside the EU. The European Parliament's agriculture committee approved new measures regarding certification. This decision aims to better protect European p...

Temporary worker ban in the meat sector: make your voice heard

09 July 2026

The Dutch government has launched a public consultation for a bill that restricts the use of temporary agency workers in parts of the meat industry. This temporary agency work ban applies to operations involving the slau...