Moderation in focus in new US drinking guidelines
Industry organizations promote responsible consumption, welcoming US drinking guideline shake-up
Regulation & safety
Sugar, stocks and scrutiny: Mondelez, Kraft and General Mills caught in Trump’s nutrition reset
The market reaction to Donald Trump’s dietary overhaul isn’t about kale versus cookies – it’s about whether Washington has finally decided the packaged food sector needs firmer rules, not friendlier guidance
US drinking guidelines revamped in dramatic shift
New US drinking recommendations now simply state that less alcohol is better
Nestlé infant formula recall escalates
Nestlé faces global scrutiny as infant formula recall widens over contamination fears
Vietnam to tighten dairy, alcohol rules to advance food safety goals
Vietnam plans to update dairy and alcohol regulations in line with ongoing national goals to improve local food safety compliance and public health
Federal hemp regulation could open up beverage innovation opportunities
The Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) would regulate – rather than ban – hemp derived beverages
Texas’ ingredient label law sparks a major food fight
A sweeping Texas bill that reshapes ingredient labels has triggered one of the biggest courtroom clashes yet between lawmakers and the food industry
Will the EU ban energy drink sales to children?
There’s growing pressure to ban energy drink sales to children: but is it that simple?
‘A mandate for innovation’: R&D is back at the top of the agenda with UK sugar tax shake up
The UK will extend its sugar tax to include more drinks, including milk-based products. Businesses have two options: take the financial hit - or get back into the lab and innovate
Soda taxes: Finding the sweet spot between health goals and business growth
Announcing an expanded sugar tax this week, the UK government acknowledges the delicate balance between public health goals and business innovation. How will the new rules affect the market? We crunch the numbers
High sugary drink intake still prevalent in Chinese schoolkids
Over 80% of China’s schoolchildren are still choosing sweet drinks, sparking calls for tougher control measures
UK expands sugar tax to include milk-based drinks and RTD coffee
Sugary milk-based drinks will be included in the UK’s Soft Drinks Industry Levy from 2028
Milk-based drinks added to UK sugar tax: Here’s what you need to know
The UK is expanding its Soft Drinks Industry Levy to milk-based drinks. Here are the new rules
Nestlé retains right to label Perrier ‘natural’ amid filtration scandal
A French court has rejected a case against Perrier’s owner Nestlé, who will now reclaim legal fees
Will soda taxes serve as the model for future UPF regulations?
The beverage industry has long argued that soda is singled out unfairly when it comes to soda taxes. But now there’s pressure to extend measures across ultra-processed foods
Non-alcoholic drinks can’t be called ‘gin’, says EU court
Gin must have an alcohol content of at least 37.5% ABV, according to an EU court: meaning producers cannot sell products described as ‘non-alcoholic gin’ or ‘alcohol-free gin’.
European Commission wants to delay EUDR, again
The Environment Commissioner hopes lawmakers will agree to postpone the deforestation regulation yet another year
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