Lincolnshire sausage fails in protected status bid - EU permitted health claims published - food business start up boot camp - updated FSA code - the cookie monster

Newsletter No. 3   May 2012


Lincolnshire Sausage Association fails in bid for protected status

Years of campaigning by the Lincolnshire Sausage Association has failed to secure protected status for the Lincolnshire sausage under the EU Protected Food Names Scheme. Success  would have meant that only sausages made from 70% coarse ground or minced pork, packedLincolnshire sausages in natural casings, flavoured with sage and made in the county of Lincolnshire could use the name.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) rejected the application because it considered there were too many variations across the UK already in existence and there was no enduring link between the product and the county. The decision means the Lincolnshire sausage will not be submitted to the EU Protected Food Name Scheme as a PGI product. Jim Paice, Food and Farming Minister, said:

"British food is outstanding and we're working hard to protect the local heritage of certain foods through PGI status.

But with so many variations on the recipe, and 95% of sausages sold under the Lincolnshire Sausage label being made outside the county, the application as it stood could have seriously damaged businesses and jobs.
"

The UK now has 52 foods protected from imitation under the EU Protected Food Name Scheme, the most recent are Northern Ireland's Armagh Bramley and the Comber Potato which both join the ranks of, amongst others, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, Cornish clotted cream and Melton Mowbray pork pies.

Full details of Defra’s decision on the Lincolnshire sausage can be found here (scroll down to the ‘Latest news’ section).


EU Commission adopts list of permitted health claims

EFSAHealth claims on food labelling and in advertising have become important marketing tools. The EU believes consumers expect accurate information about products and, in particular, any health claims made.

The EU Commission recently approved a list of 222 health claims. The list is based on scientific advice provided by the European Food Safety Authority and aims to stop misleading claims. It will be effective throughout the EU later this year and the list of permitted health claims will be available online. Health claims not on the list must cease to be used following a short transition period and a number may be used but remain under consideration for future determination. In 2008 Member States submitted 44,000 health claims for consideration.

Health claims for which the authorisation process is complete are listed in the Union Register of Nutrition and Health Claims, established by Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. A claim, for example, that a food is fat-free, and any claim likely to have the same meaning, may only be made where the product contains no more than 0.5 g of fat per 100 g or 100 ml. Claims may also only be made for a nutrient or food in a product and not the product itself.

There will be a six month transition and, from December 2012, all health claims not authorised and listed in the Register or under consideration will be prohibited.


Boot camp for food start upsMonique Borst

Prepare yourself for the challenges of starting and managing your own food business. Monique Borst shares her wealth of industry experience specifically for those wanting to turn their passion for food into a business and new food business owners who want help.

This intensive two day workshop provides you with tools and insights which will form an invaluable resource in your first year of trading:

•        How to develop a business idea
•        Overview of current trends, opportunities and threats
•        How to write a business plan
•        Revenue forecasting and budgeting
•        Marketing strategies and tools
•        Business management
•        Business and food law
 
This weekend workshop is a combination of inspired talks, tools and exercises, giving you the chance to ask the questions that really matter to you. The next course takes place on 21 to 22 July 2012 and will be held at:

The School of Artisan Food
Lower Motor Yard
Welbeck
Nottinghamshire
S80 3LR
 
Further details can be found at www.moniqueborst.com and places can be booked here.


Food Standards Agency updated code and guidance

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a revised and updated Food Law Code of Practice (England) and Food Law Practice Guidance (England) effective from 6 April 2012. A list of the main changes to the Code can be found here.

Further amendments to the Code are expected in the coming year, including the extension of Remedial Action Notices (RANs) to all food businesses. The FSA hopes to introduce this extension in  England prior to the commencement of the Olympic Games in July 2012.

The updated Code and Practice Law Guidance can be found here and here respectively.


The cookie monster's here!

Online retailing is a mainstay for many artisan and small scale food producers, but are you ‘cookie’ compliant? We are not talking scrummy biscuits here, but website compliance. Cookies personalise the experience which users of your website have when browsing. Websites must provide users with clear information about the purposes for which cookies are used and obtain user consent to the use of cookies.

Cookie MonsterThe new cookie rules will be enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) from 26 May and non-compliance ultimately carries a stiff financial penalty. So best check with your website designer that you are compliant. Better safe than sorry.

Check out the ICO’s website for further details and comprehensive guidance.

Copyright © 2012 Artisan Food Law Limited
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