Food Community Bulletin - December (2nd Update) 24.12.2024

Sharing the last of the bulletin for this year. Thank you for your support and keeping us busy!

Here are our key successes for 2024:

• Responded to over 30 consultations, including for HFSS, advertising, obesity strategy, energy drinks, infant formula, baby food, CBD, eggs, allergens, listeria, raw flour, FSHR online display of rating, bread and flour, meat and fish topics/guidance. Our lobbying lead to:
  • the publication of advertising secondary legislation & supporting DHSC on helpful guidance,
  • ‘sandwiches’ being included in category 13 under advertising,
  • minimised impact of the nitrous oxide ban in coffee shops,
  • revision of the raw flour food safety guidelines,
  • consideration of the practicalities of the FSHR rating online display,
  • English, Scottish and Welsh governments removing the 16-week derogation for free-range eggs. In Wales they will also remove the 12-week derogation for poultry.
  • Pragmatism of enforcement for the new bread & flour Regulations.
• Supported members through major food incidents.
• Monthly and quarterly working group meetings, to keep you up to date on key topics and discuss a range of technical issues. We organised a number of in-person meetings, for great networking opportunities. We are happy members liked the BRC offices at The Form Rooms and took advantage of their member discount, hiring meeting spaces for their own events.
• Supported members with new border controls for EU food imports and controls for Northern Ireland (including Not for EU labelling).
• Supported members with horizon scanning/insights for a range of topics.
• Strong inclusion in the industry, with associations and government, with attendance at meetings, events and workshops.
• Prepared a health brief for The Times Commission.
• Supported media lines including for the obesity report, ultra processed foods, BTOM, honey authenticity and animal welfare.