Our contents this week:
Retail, Food & Hospitality updates
FSA Board request further work on National level regulation: The Food Standards Agency Board agreed at its meeting on 18th September that national level regulation could provide additional scrutiny of the food safety controls in some businesses serving a very large number of customers. In an apparent climb down on the executive teams proposals the Board asked that the idea be explored further with extensive engagement and consultation with local authorities, primary authorities, businesses and consumers, as well as discussions with governments across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Board asked to see further detail on next steps at its next meeting in December. The CIEH which had expressed serious concerns over the FSA taking on an enforcement role for large businesses welcomed the outcome of the Board meeting. FSA news release > CIEH statement >CIEH Open Letter >
Guidance issued to the fashion clothing industry on Greenwashing: The Competition and Markets Authority has published detailed guidance on complying with consumer law when making environmental claims in the fashion retail sector. Publication of the compliance guidance follows undertakings being given by fashion retailers and the CMA writing to 17 other clothing retailers requesting that they review their marketing practices. Press release > Guidance >
Department for Business to address late payment to small businesses: Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has issued a press release setting out actions the Government intends to take to address small business concerns over late payment by larger businesses. Proposed actions include the intention to publish a revised fair payment code and commitment to enforce rules around annual reporting requirements on payment times and a commitment to consult on further measures in the autumn. View >
National food alert on Peanut contamination of mustard ingredients: The Food Standards Agency has issued a warning to people with peanut allergies not to consume foods containing mustard as an ingredient following the discovery of contaminated mustard ingredients from a producer in India called GT Agro Industries. The UK company affected, FGS Ingredients Ltd, has advised their customers to remove from sale products containing the contaminated mustard ingredients and the FSA has not yet identified other businesses that may be affected. View >
Sustain highlight autumn budget calls for levies on less healthy foods: Sustain and the ‘Recipe for change coalition’ have called on the Government to build on the successes of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and explore other potential financial levers that would incentivise further product reformulation and increase revenues for investment in children’s health. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP has welcomed an Institute for Public Policy Research report accompanying the submissions saying "I want to make DHSC a department for economic growth, because we won't build a healthy economy without a healthy society and that the IPPR are at the forefront of this approach, and I look forward to studying their ideas closely.’ Autumn budget > News release >
EU updates
EU Commission publish annual report on food safety alerts and agri-food fraud investigations: View >
EU Parliament reject Commission proposals to permit residues of EU banned chemicals in food imports: The EUParliament has rejected two Commission decisions allowing import tolerances (also known as maximum residue levels) for cyproconazole and spirodiclofen in or on a large quantity of products such as cereals, seeds, meat, liver and kidney as well as for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate‐methyl in or on certain products such as lemons, limes, mandarins, and okra/lady’s fingers. The use of all these pesticides are all already banned in the EU. If extended this principle would prevent use of pesticides except under EU use conditions on crops grown elsewhere in the world intended for export to the EU.View >
EU Commission propose extension of outdoor smoke free areas: The EU Commission has issued a recommendation to member states that they should extend the coverage of smoke-free policies to key outdoor areas, including outdoor recreational areas for children such as public playgrounds, amusement parks and swimming pools, as well as public buildings and transport stops and stations. View >
EU Commission president introduces new college of Commissioner roles: The EU Commission president- elect Ursula von der Leyen has put forward her college of Commissioners which has been agreed by the EU Council of ministers. The appointments will apply until 31st October 2029. View > View >
EU Regulations:
- Authorising biocides: Ca(OH)2PT02 > Ca(OH)2PT03 >Noerdkalk SL >SANICALCO S >Soft Care Med H5 >Diversey hydrogen peroxide product family >EuLA Ca (OH)2 template>hydroflex ipa 70>
- Modification of maximum residue level plant protection product: cycloxydim >
- Authorising feed additives: coriander essential oil > Enterococcus lactis > Pediococcus pentosaceus >
- Peer review of pesticide risk assessment: bensulfuron-methyl >
- Banning persistent organic pollutant: undcafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) >View >
Developments to watch
DEFRA: Publish update on ongoing bluetongue outbreak:View > View > View >
Food Standards Agency: Launch campaign to encourage businesses to use food hygiene rating online. View >
Chartered Trading Standards Institute: Highlight Which report on the availability of unsafe consumer products online. View >
For your information
Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards > EU Safety Gate > US Consumer Product Safety Commission >
Portman Group: Uphold complaint re Hello Kitty branded wine. View >
Office for Product Safety and Standards: Note publication of a BSI Publicly Available Specification which they sponsored on performance assessment of energy related products. View >
DEFRA: Update guidance on poultry meat marketing standards to address import labelling issue. View >
