Health Rights and Consumer Protection

On 20 June 2011, the European Commission adopted a Proposal for a Regulation on food intended for infants and young children and on food for special medical purposes. The Proposal establishes a new framework for the composition and labelling of these food categories. EPHA makes some suggestions on how to improve the current text. In 1977, the EU Directive on Foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses was adopted. Since then, the text has been revised several times, the last time (...)

On 1-2 December 2011, the Council adopted Conclusions entitled "Closing health gaps within the EU through concerted action to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours". EPHA considers that the Conclusions fall short on concrete objectives and targets that the current economic challenges would require, and the Council could have been stronger in its approach to tackling the problem. The Council of the European Union adopted, during its 1-2 December 2011 session, conclusions entitled "Closing (...)

The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of the European Parliament agreed on the basic principles guiding the reform of the EU’s future agricultural policy after 2013. The report pushes for fairer and more ecological agricultural policy, health is included in the prelude to the report, and the unfavourable alcohol-related suggestions were rejected by the Parliamentarians. The report drafted by Albert Dess MEP (EPP, Germany) was hotly debated within all political groups (...)

More and more countries in Europe are adopting stricter legislation on smoking in public places. This article will be updated regularly with information gathered by EPHA members, such as the European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) and the European Respiratory Society on the progress of European countries in implementing anti-smoking legislation. Introduction In March 2004 Ireland became the first country in the world to impose an outright ban on smoking in workplaces. Irish (...)

On 2 and 3 March 2011, EPHA spoke at the 5th annual Nutrition and Lifestyle Conference, particularly on food taxation. The meeting gathered a broad range of stakeholders involved in nutrition-related issues and allowed a rich exchange on key issues such as labelling, health and nutrition claims and taxation notably. The meeting gathered a broad range of stakeholders involved in nutrition-related issues and allowed a rich exchange on the following key issues: reformulation and innovation, (...)

As announced in a previous article, the European Parliament ENVI Committee voted today, 16 March 2011, on a Motion for a Resolution opposing the authorisation of a health claim referring to children’s development. Please find below the EPHA Press Release on the Committee decision that might create a precedent. Press Release ***For immediate release*** 16 March 2011, Brussels MEPs defy industry pressure and reject health claims The European Public Health Alliance – (...)

The colour, odour and appearance of some products can sometimes appeal to children who ingest them with dramatic consequences in some cases. Aware of that, the European Commission and the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety launched a consultation in order to assess the potential risks of these products. You can contribute to the consultation until 11 February 2011. The European Commission and the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) launched a consultation on a scientific (...)

EPHA has responded to the European Commission Open Consultation on the Impact Assessment of the CAP towards 2020. Although EPHA recognises the wide range of issues and challenges that the CAP and the corresponding impact assessment must deal with, its consultation response focuses on public health aspects of a reformed CAP. EPHA Response to "The reform of the CAP towards 2020 - Impact Assessment" EPHA believes that the CAP can play a profound role in improving health and tackling health (...)

Operation Sirocco, an anti-fraud operation, was jointly organised by the EU and countries from the Union for the Mediterranean in June 2010. A considerable quantity of counterfeit products has been seized during the successful operation. The anti-fraud operation, "Operation Sirocco" was jointly conducted in June 2010 by the European Union and 11 countries from the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) under the coordination of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The objective was to (...)

Dr Thomas Ulmer (EPP DE) and Dr Cristian Silviu Busoi ALDE RO) MEPs released a Call to Action for Better Oral Health on the occasion of the 3rd annual World Oral Health Day. The Call to Action for Better Oral Health in Europe is adressed to John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, and urges to make progress in combating oral diseases and reducing the burden of oral health maintenance for all citizens. The Call has been signed by several Members of the European (...)