Category: Food
Will the EU’s ambition towards a sustainable food system make it to the finish line?
As the European Commission is putting the final touches to its Farm to Fork Strategy for Sustainable Food, attempts to water it down are intensifying. Here is why the Commission must stick to its guns.
Food labels: Time to show their true colours
We live in an increasingly busy world with many demands on our time. One place where we generally don’t want to linger any more than is necessary is the supermarket. At the same time, when consumers go shopping they are...
Alcohol information: label vs. screen?
Modern life is increasingly hectic. Between work or studies, family responsibilities and everything in between, consumers can feel increasingly time-strapped. The majority do not spend any more time than they have to at the supermarket. At the same time, consumers...
No. The EU does NOT want to ban your chips
Recently, headlines in Germany and Austria might have made you shiver with fear: “The. EU. Wants. To. Ban. Crispy. Chips”. No less! The same EU which dictates the shape of our bananas and cucumbers [1] is now meddling with our...
What the fipronil egg crisis tells us about the pitfalls of open markets
Looking back at the summer of 2017, two things people will probably remember are the summer hit Despacito and the egg crisis. When it comes to the eggs the short version goes like this: In July, Belgian authorities alerted their...
Fluorinated substances: the best packaging for your fast food?
The food that I serve my three children is likely to contain unwanted substances due to contaminated soil, air or water. It’s sad, but it’s a fact. What I struggle to understand is why problematic substances are intentionally added to...
The food industry is too sweet on sugar
We Europeans eat too much sugar. The problem is not the sugar that is naturally present in milk and fruits but the one that manufacturers add to food and drinks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by lunch time...
The (not so) magic friend to a healthier life
The holiday season is over. Goodbye yummy roasts, creamy puddings and chocolates. Hello green tea, porridge and nuts. This might resonate if you’re among the many people who make New Year’s resolutions. The point of this blog is not to...
There’s no right season to market unhealthy food to children
You are surely used to see chocolate or candy ads flourishing in supermarkets or online. That’s no surprise as Saint Nicholas’ Day just kicked off the candy-laden season, with Christmas next in line. If adults are tempted, children are even...
Why eating right is an everyday challenge
Everyone is back to their pre-summer routine: back to school, back to work, back to stress. Does that mean a return to bad eating habits? It might not, if you can resist putting that sugar-laden cereal bar in your shopping...