Foodwatch is well known at the Advertising Code Commission (Reclame Code Commissie, “ACC”). The food watchdog submits complaints about food advertising with some regularity. This time, it was the turn of the packing on M&M's Peanut & Hazelnut.
Read MoreMany countries have their own specialities. We're known here for our Dutch cheeses, like Gouda or Edam. Manufacturers can apply for European protection for their products. This protection falls into one of three sorts: the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and the Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG).
Read MoreOut of the blue, our food law practice has received a great accolade for 2018. Legal 500 researches the market (other professionals and clients). And the result? The Health, Beauty & Food practice in our firm was placed in 'Tier 1' in the 'Food & Beverages' category. A superb performance, and we think quite right, too.
Read MoreOn 29 March last year, I wrote that the European Commission requested the alcohol industry to propose a self-regulatory framework about the labelling of alcoholic beverages (>1.2% alcohol). This proposal should arrange for mandatory inclusion of the list of ingredients and nutrition declaration on the label. The background is that, until now, alcohol was exempt from the obligation to include this information on the label.
Read MoreOn 1 February 2018 a draft proposal was sent to the European Commission by The Netherlands, announcing a new maximum level and several mandatory warning for vitamin B6 in food supplements. Levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements are not yet harmonized on a European level, which is why the rules on maximum levels differ per member state. A challenge to those active in more countries.
Read MoreThe (plant-based) dairy industry is still keeping minds occupied. The European Court of Justice held last summer that the protected terms ‘milk’, ‘yoghurt’ or ‘cream' could not be used as the name or designation of a non-dairy product. Since then, the name 'soya milk' has been a no-go. But how does this stack up if they say that a product is a variation on yoghurt, or an alternative to dairy?
Read MoreWe know that champagne growers are (rightly) proud of their sparkling wine. Nothing gets their hackles up more than when some "fizz" is produced from a region other than Champagne, or in a different way. After all, it’s with good reason that they got the name Champagne covered by a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
Read MoreQuaker Oatmeal Granola with 94% whole grain cereals. Sounds good, right? When a consumer inspects the list of ingredients on the back of the packaging she finds the product only contains 63% of whole grain cereals.
Read MoreThe expectation of a product that advertisements cause vs reality. A hot topic for disappointed complaining consumers at the Dutch Advertising Code Committee (RCC).
Read More"And the winner of the Foodwatch Gouden Windei is……" Jumbo Goudeerlijk (‘Gold honest’) cornbread. Each year, Foodwatch nominates products it considers to be misleading. The public choice of the most misleading product wins the Gouden Windei (Golden Wind Egg). This 'honour' was shared by Jumbo.
Read MoreThe European Commission will (finally) start with the preparations to establish legal definitions of vegetarian and vegan food. This was announced last week in the REFIT Summary
Read MoreWhat’s in a name? Some years back, the dairy industry did a lot of lobbying in Brussels. Dairy names like milk, cheese and butter are protected designations. Milk may only be called milk if it is obtained from the udders of an animal: hence cows' milk, goats' milk and camels' milk. But what impact does this have on soya milk?
Read MoreThese days producers of prepacked foods seem to make daily life a lot easier for consumers seeking to buy their essentials in the supermarket. Whatever product you are looking for, the packaging often tells you exactly how much one portion is and how many calories that portion contains.
Read MoreThe sportsmen and women among us often carry Dextro Energy: the glucose tablets are known to make a contribution to the muscles. The EFSA has also scientifically acknowledged this; the EFSA has given the green light to five health claims for glucose submitted by Dextro GmbH.
Read MoreOn June 20th 2017, the VMT food law event took place in the flashy Miele Experience Center in Vianen. The event is much visited by all stakeholders from the food industry. During the plenary morning program, Ebba Hoogenraad provided tips and tricks on the use of influencers in food marketing.
Read MoreA drink, from a legal standpoint, is only fruit juice if it consists of 100% fruit juice, with nothing added. Fruit drinks that consist only partly of juice are therefore not allowed to be called ‘juice’. Yet, in their online shops, supermarkets use the term ‘juice’ for the general category of fruit drinks. Is that allowed?
Read MoreThe product Heks’nkaas (literally ‘witches’ cheese’) has been receiving attention in IP circles for a while now. Levola, the producer of Heks’nkaas, has been embroiled in legal action for a number of years concerning the copyright protection of the flavour of the cream cheese spread. It has not been able to stop imitators on the grounds of flavour.
Read MoreIn Europe the principle of mutual recognition applies: if a product is validly marketed in a Member State, then in principle that same product may be sold throughout the rest of the EU. Nevertheless, a country can deny a product market access, but only if strict conditions are met.
Read MoreThe Court holds that the present French rules hamper the free movement of goods. After all, a food supplement manufactured lawfully in another Member State, cannot be marketed in France. Such national legislation can be justified if it meets certain criteria.
Read More
