Category: Food
A trans fat-free future
You’ve probably heard of saturated fats in butter, omega 3 in fish, healthy fats in olive oil. But have you ever heard of trans fatty acids (TFAs)? Also called ‘trans fats’ [1], they can hide in processed foods such as...
Fat is not fate: it’s time to act in Europe
Europe is getting fatter. One in two adults and one in three children are either obese or overweight. Having kilos to spare is one of the major risk factors for developing ‘lifestyle diseases’ such as heart disease, type II diabetes...
Fighting antimicrobial resistance in TTIP: ups and downs
What is antimicrobial resistance and why it is important for consumers? Every year in the EU is it estimated that antibiotic resistant bacteria kill at least 25,000 people. These bacteria can withstand antibiotics, which means antibiotics have no effect whatsoever....
Consumer crash course on TTIP negotiations: e-labelling
TTIP will not lower consumer protection standards. Or so they say and so why should we assume otherwise? Well, because from time to time you come across over a detail in the haul of TTIP information which makes you question...
“TTIP won’t lower standards” – Well then let’s break down how – UPDATE
Update: 11 September 2015 In this blog, I urged EU policy-makers to give us strong and tangible reassurances that TTIP wouldn’t lower standards. Well, they need to do a better job. The peace of the Brussels’ summer was indeed troubled...
How TTIP will affect consumers in the EU’s neighbouring countries
Much has been written about the potential impact of TTIP on consumers in the European Union. Beyond that, one cannot help but wonder how TTIP will affect the EU’s neighbouring countries and citizens. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are three countries...
What is wrong with chlorinated chicken
As the transatlantic trade deal negotiations increasingly make the headlines in newspapers, chlorinated chicken has emerged as a symbol of the detriments European consumers can face if the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) deal is signed. Though the thought...
Food in TTIP: What is at stake for EU consumers?
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is a trade agreement being negotiated between the EU and USA since July 2013. TTIP is one of the foremost phrases in transatlantic relations and will remain so for years to come. In this...