FDII Newsletter

Positive Irish research on Guideline Daily Amounts
Guideline Daily Amounts have been given a boost recently with the publication of the FSAI Survey on Irish Attitudes to Food Labelling. In a highly encouraging report, which surveyed over 1000 consumers, a majority (53%) of people found GDA's the most informative form of additional nutrition labelling.
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Consumer Foods

Pigmeat Recall
Recently published figures suggest that secondary processors have received payment of approximately 50% (€41.3m) of estimated compensation under the Pigmeat Recall Scheme. Outstanding at this stage include some product claims, claims relating to product sent directly to rendering by retailers, associated costs and third party claims. FDII continues to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) on these matter to speed up compensation payments.
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Consumer Foods - Strategic Research Agenda
There is significant public funding of food research in Ireland. Consumer foods companies now have the opportunity to direct the research agenda for the prepared consumer foods sector in Ireland resulting from the outcomes of the Agrivision Food Research Committee. A process was agreed whereby every sector including consumer foods would articulate what its common research needs are - a strategic research agenda - and this would be used to inform all aspects of public funded R&D.
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New Advertising Regulations could seriously impact food companies

The new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is reviewing the Children's Advertising Code. The central part of this process is assessing controls on advertising of foods to children and a consultation process on the Code will take place in the new year.

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Irish Dairy Industries Association

IDIA welcomes the IIEA Sustainability Enhancement Tool
A report that brings farmers, industry and retailers together on a single platform in addressing sustainability was launched on 3 December by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA).
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The Increasing Challenge with Dairy Fats
IDIA are hosting a workshop on Dairy Fats on 20 January 2010
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Meat Industry Ireland

President Barroso unveils his team
The President of the European Commission announced the portfolios responsibilities for the next Commission 2010-2014. The new college will have 7 Vice-Presidents, 27 members, one from each Member State. A number of new portfolios have been announced, including Climate Action; Justice; Home Affairs, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.
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EFSA publishes results of the first survey on MRSA in pigs in the EU
On 24 November 2009, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the first EU wide survey on MRSA in breeding pigs. The survey results show that MRSA, a bacterium resistant to many antibiotics is commonly detected in holdings with breeding pigs in several EU Member States.
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Less Meat = Less Heat with Sir Paul McCartney
On 3 December, the European Parliament hosted an event on global warning and food policy where Chairman of the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Dr Rajendra K. Pachauri and environmental activist Sir Paul McCartney urged experts and legislators to focus on what individuals can do to fight climate change.
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Regulatory affairs

LVMD Price rises
Electricity consumers who fall into the Low Voltage Maximum Demand (LVMD) category have in many cases experienced significant and unexpected increases in their electricity bills since 1st October. This has happened despite acknowledgements from the Commission for Energy Regulation earlier this year and the Minister for Energy in the Dail in October that no increases in electricity prices were likely.
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Food Information to Consumers Proposed Regulation
The Parliamentary report by lead German MEP Renate Sommer has recently been published. This report is written taking into consideration the circa 1000 proposed amendments made by MEP’s to the proposed legislation last May. The report is generally favourable towards industry and supports many of the concerns we have been putting forward.
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Saturated Fat Reduction Programme Possible

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland have invited FDII and Retail Ireland (the IBEC group that represents the retailers) to discuss a possible voluntary saturated fat reduction initiative. The move comes ahead of an expected European recommendation on the issue early in the New Year. FDII will report to members after that meeting to elaborate on details and FSAI proposals.

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FSAI Report on Nutrition Labelling Accuracy Delayed
The FSAI report on the accuracy of Nutrition Labelling is near completion but has been delayed while technical details surrounding results and analysis methods are discussed.
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Nutrition & Health Claims Annex to be extended
The European Commission has started discussions with Member States over a further eight possible amendments to the nutrition annex for nutrition claims on food. “Energy-reduced”, “reduced” and “increased” could be all aligned with current Codex rules. While “With no added sugars”, “Very low sodium/salt”, “Contains same quantity of energy and/or [nutrient/s or other substance/s] as [name of food]”, “No added sodium/salt”, “Contains X% less of [energy, sodium/salt, fat or saturated fat]” could also be introduced. These latest discussions follow on after agreement on the MUFA, PUFA and omega claims was reached. This news comes after a significant coordinated lobby from industry across Europe and FDII had worked closely with the Department of Health on the matter.
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Economic Updates

Prices fall by 6.4% in the year to October
Consumer Prices in October, as measured by the CPI, decreased by 0.2% in the month. This compares to a decrease of 0.2% recorded in October of last year. As a result, prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 6.6% lower in October compared with October 2008.
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Nutrition and Health Foundation

Workplace Wellbeing Campaign Network
'Diabetes and Health Promotion in the Workplace'

The Nutrition and Health Foundation would like to invite you to attend our final Workplace Wellbeing Campaign Network event for 2009 on 'Diabetes and Health Promotion in the Workplace'. This event will take place on Thursday 10th December at 3.30 - 5.00 pm in Confederation House, 84/86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
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NHF Seminar positive feedback
The Nutrition and Health Foundation hosted it’s second seminar entitled Food, Fitness; practical solutions to obesity on Tuesday the 6th of october in the Radisson SAS Bleu, on Golden Lane, Dublin 8. Professor Arne Astrup, Head of the Department of Human Nutrition from the University of Copenhagen was keynote speaker.
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NHF secures regular slot on TV3's Morning Show
Following Dr Muireann Cullen, NHF Manager's recent appearance on TV3's 'The Morning Show', on nutrition and healthy eating, aired this morning, we are delighted to advise that the producer of the show has invited Muireann to appear on a regular basis on the show as the dietitian.
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Gum Litter Taskforce

Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) – TidyTowns Competition
Regional prize giving ceremonies have been held around the country in order to reward local TidyTowns committees who are working to reduce the incorrect disposal of chewing gum.
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FDII - a business sector within IBEC
Confederation House, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Telephone: (01) 6051677 E-mail: infofdii@ibec.ie Web: www.fdii.ie
As a member of FDII/IBEC you are automatically sent the Food and Drink Industry Focus. This contains articles on FDII activities as well as updates on business issues related to the food and drink industry. You are always free to unsubscribe from this mailing.