EU Regulatory Developments Could Play a Role in Defining International Trends

[GhostModder]

Europe is fast becoming the world’s leading exporter of regulation as authorities in many countries increasingly look for models on which to base their legislation.

Speaking at the Vitafoods International “Discussion Forum” in Geneva in early May, Simon Pettman, director of international food and nutrition policy consultancy EAS, said that with international regulators now more closely monitoring developments in the EU, such as the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation and the Commission’s new labeling proposal, “getting it right” in Europe is essential.

At the forum Mr. Pettman interviewed three leading experts on the key regulatory issues facing Europe—Bas van Buijtenen, head of DSM activities in Human Nutrition and Health in Europe, Middle East and Africa; internationally renowned scientist David Richardson; and Gert Krabichler, chairman of the European Responsible Nutrition Alliance (ERNA).

“Good regulation is easy to enforce,” Mr. Pettman said, “Poor regulation is often unenforceable. Regulators are out there looking for answers, and much of the future of this sector rests on providing workable advice and solutions. The food sector has to get better at sharing information, science and ideas. Only if we are sharing globally, will we come up with solutions to be presented to these regulatory bodies.”

The forum highlighted the top five regulatory areas of concern in Europe—the pending 2010 list of approved nutrition and health claims; the setting of maximum levels of vitamins and minerals; the imminent Commission paper on the future of botanical ingredients and other substances; revision of the novel foods regulation; and the new labeling proposal, with key issues being mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling and the surprisingly large new minimum 3mm font size.

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