Our contents this week:
Retail, Food & Hospitality updates
Import of food products from US not meeting UK requirements highlighted: The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has issued a press release highlighting an apparent ‘flooding of high streets’ with snacks, sweets and fizzy drinks imported from the US which don’t meet UK food Standards. CTSI claim that the presence of unauthorised food additives and ingredients poses a food safety issue highlighting the presence of Yellow 6 (E110) found in corn-based snacks, linked to hyperactivity in children. Carrageenan has been found and is used in jelly cups, posing a choking hazard for children, and EDTA, which is an additive prohibited in drinks, linked to developmental issues in animal studies. View >
Scope and exemptions for 9pm watershed on food advertising set out: The Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024 were laid before Parliament on 3 December 2024 and will come into force UK-wide on 1 October 2025. From 1st October 2025 a 9pm watershed for less healthy food or drink advertising on TV, including all on-demand programme services (ODPS) and internet protocol television (IPTV) services under the jurisdiction of the UK, and therefore regulated by Ofcom will apply together with a total restriction on paid-for advertising of less healthy food or drink online, including non-Ofcom regulated ODPS and IPTV. The DHSC has also issued detailed guidance on the Regulations. Publication > Consultation > Collections > News >
Reminder issued to vulnerable consumers on listeria risk from cold cured fish: The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have issued advice ahead of the holiday season for pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system to avoid eating ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish because of the risk of listeria. The reminder follows further cases of illness recently reported in an ongoing listeria outbreak which the FSA, FSS, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Public Health Scotland (PHS) have been investigating and taking steps to tackle. View >
Guidance issued on application of the EU General Product Safety Regulation in Northern Ireland: The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published detailed guidance for businesses setting out how the new requirements apply and the increased obligations of businesses including those of online market places. A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses has highlighted that of a sample of exporting businesses 37% said they value guidance on specific issues, including product safety rules, customs etc as one of the most beneficial sources when entering or exploring entry to a new market and some 49% of current and would-be exporters see understanding local regulations as key to increase their competitiveness on market entry. Publications > Federation of Small Businesses >
Ethical Trade Initiative comment on authenticity and supply of tomatoes from China. Following a BBC programme alleging the presence of Chinese tomatoes in Italian tinned tomatoes the Ethical Trading Initiative has commented on employment conditions in China and the steps businesses should be taking to secure authenticity of product in their supply chains. View >
EU updates
EU Regulations:
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Approving biocidal products: reaction products of boric acid with didecylamine and ethylene oxide (polymeric betaine) >
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Postponing expiry date for biocidal product: dazomet > tralopyril >
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Rejecting biocidal product application: BPF H202 HAG product family >
European Food Safety Authority opinions:
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Evaluation of flavour group. 420 – hesperetin dihydrochalcone >
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On import tolerances: hexythiazox >
The new EU era for product safety and liability
This week is a big week for product safety and liability with the EU's product liability directive entering into force on 8 December. Read more to find out how it could impact your business. Read more
Developments to watch
Advertising Standards Authority: Publish brief guidance on the advertising of meat-free products. View >
Environment Agency: Publish guidance on assessment and scoring of environmental permit compliance. View >
DEFRA: Publish update on Avian flu outbreak – 5th December. View > View >
Food Standards Agency: Endorse new Trading Standards Practitioner apprenticeship for food standards. It is expected that up to 100 candidates will start the Level 6 apprenticeship over the next 12 months. View >
Office for Product Safety and Standards: Publish a detailed horizon scan of technological developments and also research on prostaglandin analogues in cosmetics. View > View >
Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Publish an evaluation plan for the review of the Gambling Act. View >
For your information
Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards > EU Safety Gate > US Consumer Product Safety Commission >
No.10: Publish statement of ambition for ‘Mission led’ Government. View >
US Food and Drugs Administration & US Department of Agriculture: Issue call for evidence on food date coding requirements. View >
Food Standards Scotland: Publish details of food reformulation grants to small and medium sized enterprises. View > View >
