Paolo Vespa on LinkedIn: #nutriscore #portugal #publichealth (2024)

The #NutriScore is once again a topic of discussion🥝🍋🍊🍎The food labeling model in a traffic light form, from A/🟩 as good to E/🟥, meaning poor, educating consumers about foods high in sugar or fat, was introduced in Germany in 2020. Although implemented on a voluntary basis, at the end of 2022 a survey by Germany's consumer advice centers showed that 40% of the food products examined were already labeled with a ,,Nutri Score'' The EU Commission had announced that it would present a legislative proposal for uniform and mandatory extended nutrition labeling throughout the EU at the beginning of 2023, however the decision making process brings a lot of controversy between within the industry. https://lnkd.in/eQUVM6zE

10

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion on the #risks to public #health related to the presence of N-#Nitrosamines (N-NAs) in #food.The opinion evaluates the toxicity of N-NAs to animals and humans, estimates the dietary #exposure of the EU population to N-NAs and assesses the human health risks to the EU population due to the estimated dietary exposure.N-NAs and/or their precursors can be found as contaminants in processed foods as unintentional by-products of food preparation and processing. As the available occurence data was limited, the dietary exposure assessment could only be performed for ‘Alcoholic beverages’, ‘Coffee, cocoa, tea and infusions’, ‘Fish, seafood, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates’, ‘Meat and meat products’ and ‘Seasoning, sauces and condiments’.No occurrence data were available for ‘Fruit and fruit products’, ‘Fruit and vegetable juices and nectars (including concentrates)’, ‘Grains and grain-based products’, ‘Legumes, nuts, oilseeds and spices’, ‘Milk and dairy products’, ‘Starchy roots or tubers and products thereof, sugar plants’, ‘Vegetables and vegetable products’ and ‘Water and water-based beverages’. EFSA concludes that for all age groups across the EU population, the level of exposure to nitrosamines in food raises a health concern.EFSA identified several uncertainties due to data gaps. Thus, EFSA recommends to generate further data as well as to standardise a sensitive analytical method to quantify the N-NAs.

9

Empowering Consumers with Informed Food Choices: Proposed Amendment to FSSAI ActBody:In the era of digital transformation, it is imperative to leverage technology to enhance consumer awareness and empower them with informed food choices. To this end, I propose an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSAI Act) that mandates food businesses to disclose key nutritional information on LinkedIn.Rationale:* LinkedIn is a professional networking platform with a vast reach among food industry professionals, consumers, and stakeholders.* By requiring food businesses to share nutritional information on LinkedIn, we can:* Increase transparency and accountability in the food industry.* Provide consumers with easy access to reliable and up-to-date information about the food they consume.* Empower consumers to make healthier and more informed food choices.* Promote healthy eating habits and reduce the incidence of diet-related diseases.Proposed Amendment:Section 29 of the FSSAI Act shall be amended to include the following provision:"(4) Every food business shall disclose the following nutritional information on its LinkedIn page:(a) Energy value(b) Total fat(c) Saturated fat(d) Trans fat(e) Carbohydrates(f) Sugar(g) Protein(h) Sodium(i) Any other nutritional information as may be prescribed by the Food Authority."Implementation:The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shall develop guidelines for the implementation of this amendment, including:·The format and frequency of nutritional information disclosure.·Mechanisms for verifying the accuracy of the information provided.·Enforcement measures for non-compliance.Conclusion:By providing transparent and accessible nutritional information, we can promote healthier eating habits, reduce diet-related diseases, and foster a more informed and engaged food system.For More update Read our Blog and website .http://pankitashah.com/#FSSAI #FoodSafety #consumerempowerment #InformedFoodChoices #LinkedIn #ca #ICAI #legal

2

Next week the 47th session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling will take place. With Codex’s mission to ‘protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade by setting international science-based food safety and quality standard’, this committee will have among others the following highly relevant topics on its agenda: 👉 review and clarify the provisions relevant to allergen labelling and develop guidance on precautionary allergen labelling👉 develop guidelines on the Provision of Food Information for Pre-packaged Foods offered via E-commerce👉 develop guidelines on the use of technology to provide food informationThe Committee will also look into the topic of sustainability labelling claims. We note that achieving healthy diets/dietary pattern produced sustainably relies on a balance between nutrition, environment, social, cultural, and economic aspects.At International Dairy Federation we have developed guiding principles when consideration is given to sustainability claims with a scope limited to ‘environmental’. These principles are intended to identify considerations and contextual elements relevant to environmental labelling of food. An important overall consideration is that a low carbon product is not the same as a low carbon diet and is not the same as sustainable diet or dietary pattern. You can read our principles here: bit.ly/44OCBXX #sustainability #food #nutrition #nutritionsecurity

30

2 Comments

Inclusion of Quantitative Ingredient Declaration (QUID) in Food LabelsQUID, an abbreviation for Quantitative Ingredient Declaration, holds substantial significance in food labeling, as it allows for highlighting the presence or absence of certain ingredients, aiding consumers in making informed choices about what they eat to stay healthy. The concept of #QUID refers to the declaration of the quantity, typically in percentage terms, of an ingredient or a category of ingredients used in the production or preparation of a food item and has particular prevalence as per the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Leveraging technological advancements in label management can prominently aid in tackling challenges with using QUID in food labels by enhancing efficiency throughout the labeling process. 's Smart Label can streamline and consolidate the various processes involved in food label management, elevating the whole process. Using an extensive ingredient database, Smart Label simplifies and consolidates the creation of accurate, regulation-compliant nutritional labels. This innovative platform enables food manufacturers, processors, and distributors to access vital information like nutrition facts and allergens effortlessly, ensuring precise label details.To know more, check out our article: https://lnkd.in/gwDJAr3e

13

🌐 Embracing a Healthier Future: Navigating EU Food Regulations 🍏In an era where health takes center stage, the EU's Regulation EC No 1924/2006 emerges as a linchpin, empowering consumers with scientifically-backed insights into nutrition and health claims. 🧪 The European Parliament and Council lead the charge in establishing food safety standards and fostering informed food choices, though challenges persist in adopting nutrient profiles to tackle high-fat, sugar, and salt products. 🛡️🚀 Unveiling the Impact of Food Marketing:This report sheds light on the profound impact of food marketing, especially on children, exacerbating health issues like obesity. It underscores the need for preventative measures, championing healthy diets. 🍎 Labels and information tools become catalysts in steering consumers toward healthier choices.🔍 Harmonized EU Labeling:As the clamor for transparent food choices rises, there's a resounding call for a unified EU front-of-pack nutritional labeling system. Yet, variable scientific assessments for health claims on botanical substances and the absence of standardized legislation across member states pose challenges.🌱 Glyphosate Renewal and Assessments:Recent EU developments include the extension of glyphosate use until 2033, sparking discussions on safety. The EFSA's recalibration of erythritol's daily intake underscores a commitment to evolving safety standards. Meanwhile, Chile leads the charge in Latin America with a pioneering food control system assessment.🌍 Embracing Change Together:Let's navigate this dynamic landscape collaboratively, fostering a healthier future through informed choices and regulatory advancements. 🌿 #EURegulations #FoodSafety #HealthRevolution #NutritionLabels #GlobalHealth 🌐

4

I'm pleased to share that Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has released its white paper on processed foods. I had the privilege of contributing to the document.The white paper brings valuable insights into food science and technology to help improve global food and nutrition security. I hope you find it useful."With a growing global population, climate-challenges, and unpredictable crises, such as pandemics, wars, droughts, floods, and other natural disasters, the time is now to future-proof the food system. Food processing is an essential bridge in the food system connecting farm to fork and beyond and ensuring food and nutrition security. Processing technologies offer a sustainable, scalable, and affordable way to simultaneously improve the availability and nutritional quality of foods to help ensure food and nutrition security for all. Numerous emerging technologies are focused on preserving food safety and quality while improving nutritional value and minimizing the impact to the environment.""Further development, scaling, and adoption of these emerging technologies can contribute to a more nutritious, sustainable, and safe food supply and improve global food and nutrition security. However, there are challenges to overcome. New technologies often take many years and significant investment, but this can be accelerated with public-private partnerships and multistakeholder investment. Cost and system optimization is also needed to ensure affordability. Acceleration of regulatory approvals as well as adequate raining and support of the workforce in the implementation of these new technologies is also essential.""The importance of accurate, science-based communications in collaboration with multiple stakeholders across the food value chain is also critical to avoid consumer confusion and rejection of technology. The conflation of processing and food formulation in the development of food classification systems that classify “processed” foods as less healthy is an example of the consequences of a lack of multidisciplinary collaboration. Creating a perception of processed foods as bad for health hinders current innovations that are finding more sustainable ways to create more nutritious foods to ensure food and nutrition security for the growing global population."https://lnkd.in/gDYNHNHR

56

1 Comment

UK FSA Proposes Reform to Product-Approval ProcessThe UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) is changing how certain foods reach the market, including cultivated meat and precision fermentation products. The reforms aim to make the approval process quicker and more efficient.The FSA's board members agreed upon these plans in a recent meeting. Under the new regulations, a public register of 'regulated products' will replace the old system. Previously, new products had to wait for a "Statutory Instrument" to be laid before being approved, which could take up to six months. This change aims to speed up the process.Additionally, companies won't need to reauthorise their products after several years, freeing up resources for new approvals. The FSA assures that safety standards won't be compromised, with thorough assessments of each product's safety and nutritional value still in place.Linus Pardoe from the Good Food Institute Europe praised the reforms, stating that they modernize the process while maintaining robust regulations. “This will support the UK food industry more broadly, and in particular will give confidence to Britain’s growing alternative protein sector, reducing the risk of startups moving overseas due to regulatory uncertainty”, he added. The FSA is also considering further changes, including seeking input from international regulators and releasing more details on potential reforms in the summer. However, the organisation has faced criticism from traditional meat industry stakeholders, who argue for more scientific research on the safety of alternative proteins.The proposed reforms represent a significant step forward in ensuring food safety while fostering innovation within the UK's food industry. By modernising the regulatory process, the FSA aims to support the development and market entry of novel food products that could potentially revolutionise the way we eat.

5

1 Comment

🌾🧁 Could this sweetener innovation redefine nutrition and sustainability?Avansya, the joint venture between Cargill and dsm-firmenich, has received positive safety opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK's Food Safety Authority (FSA) for its fermentation-based stevia sweetener, EverSweet.EverSweet stands out in the sweetener market for its 'cleaner' and 'more-sugar-like' taste profile compared to traditional stevia leaf extract sweeteners. This innovative product is achieved through fermentation technology, avoiding the bitter aftertaste associated with traditional stevia extracts. The EFSA's Panel on Food Additive and Flavourings (FAF Panel) thoroughly assessed EverSweet's production process, confirming no safety concerns at the current acceptable daily intake.Avansya emphasizes EverSweet's premium quality, enabling significant sugar reduction in various food and beverage applications, while its sustainability benefits surpass those of traditional stevia sweeteners. Studies indicate that EverSweet offers environmental advantages, including reduced land and water use and a lower carbon footprint, making it a promising option for health-conscious consumers and environmentally responsible businesses.Learn more in the full article: https://lnkd.in/eMfhXUMBSubscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news, insights, and trends in the agrifoodtech space: https://lnkd.in/ejNWYhDq#ForwardFooding #agrifoodtech #foodtech #innovation #futurefood #sustainability #emissions #foodsystems

21

🌟 Decoding Food Labels: Your Key to Informed Food Choices! 🧾In the vast landscape of food choices, product specifications and labeling hold the key to making informed decisions.Let's explore the world where attention to detail matters and discover how product specifications and labeling play a vital role in shaping our food experiences.📋 Transparency and Consumer Empowerment:✔ Product specifications and labeling provide transparency in the food industry, empowering consumers with crucial information about ingredients, nutritional content, and allergens. By decoding the details, we gain the power to make choices that align with our dietary needs, preferences, and values. It's about taking control of our food journey and making informed decisions that nourish our bodies and support our well-being. 🌟🔬 Safety and Allergen Awareness:✔ Accurate labeling and comprehensive product specifications are critical for ensuring food safety and allergen awareness. They provide clear information about potential allergens, cross-contamination risks, and proper handling instructions. By understanding these details, we can confidently navigate the food landscape and enjoy our meals without compromising our health and well-being. ✨🌍 Global Impact and Sustainability:✔ Product specifications and labeling also contribute to global impact and sustainability efforts. They offer insights into the origin of ingredients, enabling us to make conscious choices that support local producers, fair trade practices, and environmentally friendly sourcing. By understanding the journey our food takes, we can contribute to a more sustainable and ethical food system, one purchase at a time. 🌱💡 Informed Decision-Making:✔ Equipped with accurate product specifications and labeling information, we become empowered decision-makers. We can assess nutritional value, compare ingredients, and evaluate certifications and claims to ensure our choices align with our health goals and values. This knowledge allows us to navigate supermarkets and restaurants with confidence, making choices that promote our well-being and contribute to a healthier food landscape. 🌟Let's embark on a journey of knowledge and empower ourselves to make conscious decisions that positively impact our lives and the world around us! 🍽️ ✅ #foodsafety#business#success#safety#management#manufacturing#supplychain#foodindustry#motivation

5