Latest News

The report published today by Enrico Letta from the Jacques Delors Institute is a welcome effort to remove barriers that prevent the Single Market...

A new survey carried out in 8 EU countries shows that most consumers support better welfare for the animals raised for food and expect EU decision...

Aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2050, today the EU Commission has proposed a 90% cut in the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared to 1990...

On Sunday night, the European Commission headquarters in Brussels were lit up with bright lights beaming a clear message to EU policymakers: fulfil...

Who decides what you eat: new report explores what's secretly influencing consumer diets. The way foods are presented and choices framed needs to...

- PDF Document - 269.64 KB

Available in English
The European Parliament just failed – by three votes – to block a proposal from the EU Commission to authorise the use of phosphates in döner kebabs and gyros1. Although phosphate additives are not allowed in these meat preparations, some producers have been unlawfully adding them in kebab meat sold across the EU. There are concerns over their health effects and their water-binding properties, which manufacturers could abuse to bulk out meat with water.
- PDF Document - 168.41 KB

Available in English, French
To stop microbes developing resistance to antibiotics, the EU must urgently adopt legislation to slash the use of antibiotics in farm animals. This is what the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) is calling for in its campaign to raise consumer awareness about the risks of antibiotic resistance on European Antibiotic Awareness Day (18 November).
- PDF Document - 277.91 KB

Available in English
Today Member States have adopted a proposal by the European Commission to reduce cancer-causing acrylamide in food. With the new rules, food manufacturers, fast-food chains and restaurants will have to apply measures to ensure acrylamide levels in their products remain below benchmarks. Up until now, the EU had relied on industry’s voluntary efforts to reduce acrylamide. However, levels of acrylamide in Europeans’ food have remained roughly the same.

FOOD LABELLING FOR HEALTHIER CHOICES - TOWARDS AN EU-WIDE NUTRI-SCORE

We have compiled everything you need to know about Nutri-score in one place. Check out our webpage to know more about the five-colour nutrition label.

We explain what Nutri-Score is, its advantages compared to other labels, the situation in Europe, and we also showcase your work on the topic.

Read more

 

THE FARM TO FORK STRATEGY: THE CONSUMER VIEW

The EU 2020 ‘Farm to Fork’ Strategy has great potential for making the healthy and sustainable food choice easier for consumers. While we would have hoped for some follow-up actions to happen sooner, at least the Strategy sets the EU on the right track to a more sustainable food and farming system.

Read more

 

Consumers expect the food on their plate to be of good quality and safe. But this is not always the case, as recent safety-related scandals have brought to light. Since food safety cannot be taken for granted, BEUC’s role is to ensure that consumers can trust in a safe food supply in the EU.

Also, while new technologies have the potential to bring benefits to consumers, they must be closely monitored as they may also present health risks.

For BEUC, consumers should be able to make informed choices – be it by having clear and understandable information on food packaging, or ensuring that health messages on food products are scientifically justified. BEUC also works to ensure vulnerable groups such as children are not targeted with unhealthy foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

  • Facilitate informed and healthy choices by consumers, including vulnerable groups
  • Prevent misleading information and ensure that information can be trusted
  • Protect children from the promotion of unhealthy food
  • Ensure food sold to consumers is safe and sustainable