European Commission wants to delay EUDR, again
The Environment Commissioner hopes lawmakers will agree to postpone the deforestation regulation yet another year
Regulation & safety
UK teen energy drink ban: Is caffeine really the culprit?
The UK government will consult on banning high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s in England over health concerns. However, a new study suggests energy drinks may only be indirectly linked to poor adolescent health, so what makes them risky?
England set to ban energy drink sales to U16s
The government is planning a new law that would make it illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks to children
EUDR: 5 key traceability challenges for coffee
In a fragmented, complex sector, traceability remains a challenge
How could sugar tax shake-up reshape the UK beverage market?
The UK is considering extending its soda tax to more beverages, including milk-based drinks. How big an impact would this have?
‘Stop moving the goalposts!’ Small businesses dread sugar tax reformulation drama
The UK wants to increase the scope of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy: and small businesses are worried
Can a lower Brix standard help orange juice manufacturers?
FDA’s proposal to lower the required sugar content in not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice has been in development for several years, with some manufacturers and industry associations calling it a step forward in improving US citrus production
Will the UK finally change its definition of alcohol-free?
Third time lucky?
ASA calls out sparkling drinks brand Trip for mental health claims
The UK-based beverage brand Trip, known for its CBD content, has been flagged by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for claiming that its magnesium drink could help reduce cognitive stress. But was ruling this avoidable?
UK considers putting health warning labels on alcohol
The government is exploring the idea of mandatory health warning labels and nutritional information on alcohol, as momentum towards similar legislation grows around the globe
WHO pushes for massive 50% rise in soda and alcohol prices: ‘Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have’
The WHO has long been an advocate for taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol: but its latest initiative calls for drastic, measurable policy shifts
UK pledges to ban sales of energy drinks to children
The newly-published 10 Year Health Plan for England commits to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16
Looming Texas hemp ban bill worries beverage brands
The Hemp Beverage Alliance is urging the Texas Governor to veto a hemp ban bill: highlighting the potential of hemp beverages to provide consumers with an attractive alcohol-free alternative
The gold standard: How product developers can rise to the MAHA challenge
The US’ MAHA Commission is putting weak science and vague health claims on notice. Brands must now back every bite with credible, peer-reviewed research
California’s soda tax war reaches crucial battle in Santa Cruz
The momentum behind California soda taxes came to an abrupt halt in 2018 with the introduction of the Keep Groceries Affordable Act. But Santa Cruz defied the legislation and introduced a new soda tax: an action it is now preparing to defend
Nutrition misinformation: How to stem the tide of bad advice on social media
More and more consumers turn to social media for tips and hacks on nutrition: and the advice they get is not always good. How can nutrition misinformation be addressed?
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act set for Senate vote
US dairy has been lobbying to get whole and 2% milk back in schools – and the odds are in favor of passing the bill this year
Guidance on running responsible alcohol promotions this summer
Sampling and promotional activities ramp up as the summer months approach. How can brands promote their brands responsibly?
EUDR high-risk countries revealed
After much speculation, the European Commission has unveiled which countries are ‘high risk’ under the impending EUDR regulation
Why soda taxes need to be part of a bigger strategy to tackle the food system
Soda taxes are just one piece of the puzzle
UK set to extend sugar tax to milk-based drinks
The UK plans to lower the threshold the sugar tax kicks in at: as well as extend it to milk-based drinks and their plant-based counterparts
States move to ban soda and candy from SNAP – triggering industry pushback and potentially a domino effect across US
Arkansas, Indiana and Idaho want to block low-income Americans from spending nutrition aid on candy and soda as part of the Trump Administration’s larger Make America Healthy Again initiative – but industry groups say a ban will have unintended consequences
Comment period extended for new US alcohol labeling rules
The US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is inviting further comments on its new alcohol labeling rules: which could see alcohol required to carry calorie and allergen information
Europe’s EPR: How the EU is harmonising packaging regulation
As the UK’s EPR comes into force, the EU is harmonising its own schemes
What exactly is an alcohol-free drink?
Many alcohol-free beers and other alcohol-free drinks still contain a trace amount of alcohol. So how much is acceptable?
Should alcohol carry cancer warning labels?
The US Surgeon General and the WHO are both calling for cancer warning labels on alcohol. How likely is this to happen - and how effective would such labels be?
Alcohol labels should contain cancer risk warnings, says WHO
A new report from the WHO underscores an ‘urgent need for mandatory, standardized labeling on alcoholic beverages’
New US alcohol labeling rules proposed
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau wants alcohol labels to include more information: including calorie and allergen information
FDA unveils proposed front-of-package nutrition labels
Front-of-package labeling has the potential to be ‘as iconic as the Nutrition Facts label’, says the FDA, as it launches its proposals
The debate over US drinking guidelines
US dietary guidelines are due to be updated this year: and the first two weeks of 2025 have seen the debate over alcohol consumption guidelines kick into high gear.
Researchers call for sugar taxes and stronger regulations, as sugary drinks linked to millions of diabetes and cardiovascular cases
A new study links millions of diabetes and heart disease cases to sugary drinks, with researchers calling for more interventions such as soda taxes, marketing restrictions and public health campaigns.
US Surgeon General calls for cancer risk warning on alcohol
The US Surgeon General wants to make Americans more aware of the link between alcohol and cancer: suggesting cancer risk warning labels and revised guidance on alcohol consumption limits.
Trump’s proposed tariffs – and how they could affect the spirits industry
Tequila and Canadian whisky could be affected by the next round of tariffs
Pressure mounts across Europe to ban energy drink sales to children
Energy drinks have long been under fire from health campaigners: now governments are taking note.
What’s wrong with Europe’s novel food approval system?
The novel foods approval system has evolved since its birth near three decades ago, but has it progressed enough to meet the needs of a growing and innovation-heavy food and drink sector?
Saccharin daily intake threshold almost doubles post EFSA review
Safe daily intake limits for saccharin have been almost doubled by the European Food Safety Authority following a new review on the sweetener.
Coffee companies welcome EUDR delay – but ‘time alone is not enough’
Around 80% of the world’s coffee is produced by smallholder coffee farmers - so what do the EU’s deforestation regulations mean for the coffee industry?
Trend spotting: What’s the ‘next big thing’ in beverage innovation?
There’s no shortage of beverage innovation out there: but which ideas truly have the potential to shape the industry in the years to come? And how can innovators get a great idea off the ground and into the mass market? Join us this week for our FREE...
UK looks to expand sugar tax
Championing the success of the policy so far, the UK government wants to increase the impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. It’s already announced an increase to the tax: and is also considering extending it to include milk-based drinks.
UK considers extending sugar tax to milk-based drinks
Milk-based drinks are currently exempt from the UK's Soft Drinks Industry Levy: but the tax's scope could be extended to include sugary milkshakes, dairy drinks and RTD coffee.
Coca-Cola Consolidated recalls ‘zero sugar’ drinks that contain sugar
Coca-Cola Consolidated LLC has recalled cartons of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade: which in fact contained regular Minute Maid Lemonade.
Could smaller alcohol serving sizes become more common?
A trial in UK pubs swapped the standard British pint for a smaller size, reducing overall alcohol consumption by nearly 10%. Researchers say it's a measure that could be considered in public health policies. How could this idea evolve?
Scotland increases Minimum Unit Price for alcohol
Scotland is doubling down on tackling alcohol harm with increased minimum unit pricing (MUP) and a new push to shake up alcohol marketing rules.
WHO puts alcohol in the firing line: How could regulations shape up as a result?
The World Health Organization is getting serious on alcohol. And its policy recommendations can be expected to influence alcohol regulation at a country level. From minimum unit pricing to marketing restrictions, we take a look at the direction of travel.
News
Brits call for Deposit Return Scheme for all materials
Almost three quarters of Brits want to see the new Labour government press ahead with a deposit return scheme (DRS) for all drinks containers.
Hello Kitty wine taken off shelves in UK
A ‘Hello Kitty’ wine will no longer be sold in the UK after the alcohol industry’s self-regulator said it was likely to appeal to children: acting as a warning to alcohol brands who are tempted to draw on child-like branding or nostalgia.
Alcohol labeling: Are consumers getting enough information about what they drink in the UK?
Ingredient lists, calorie counts, alcohol strength and more – are UK consumers getting all the information they want from their alcohol labels?
Fake alcohol: Can alcohol brands ever win the battle against counterfeit goods?
How big a problem is counterfeit alcohol - and what can be done to fight the problem?
New alcohol labelling requirements for Australia and New Zealand move a step closer, industry generally supportive
Moves to introduce new alcoholic labelling standards in Australia and New Zealand, including listing carbohydrate, sugar, and energy values on pack, have moved a step closer.
How to spot fake alcohol
Fake alcohol refers to drinks produced illegally and made to look like well-known brands – but these products can be lethal. How can people identify what's genuine and what's counterfeit?