NIU's Global Round-up: Chinese ecommerce food complaints, potential UK energy drink sale regulation, and more
It’s a global industry and there’s a lot happening. We know it’s not always easy keeping up with everything that’s happening around the world. The answer? Our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.
Asia
Food complaints make up 70% of all cases heard at Beijing Internet Court
In China, disputes over food products made online account for a staggering 73% of all cases heard at China’s second Internet Court in Beijing, established to protect business transactions, personal information, and intellectual property online.
According to David Ettinger, a partner at Keller and Heckman LLP’s Shanghai office, the number of complaints reflected Chinese consumers’ shopping habits.
“China now has over 800 million Internet users and more and more consumers are choosing to purchase foods online through e-commerce platforms," he told us.
“Thus, it is not surprising that the number of cases involving online food sales has increased.”
These cases involve the unlawful use of food additives, false labelling, misleading product names and exaggerated function claims, Ettinger said.
Read more HERE
Europe
The UK government likely to ban sales of caffeine-rich energy drinks to buyers under 16
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced his intentions to colleagues of a possible age limit on products high in caffeine as well as sugar.
In leaked documents, Hancock said: “Following a high level of interest in the consultation, we plan on announcing that we will be ending the sale of energy drinks to children under the age of 16.”
The consultation he was referring to was a Department of Health consultation, where the office invited industry bodies, retailers, parents, health professionals and teachers to submit their views on a proposed ban.
Read more HERE
Latin America
Study supports blood sugar management properties of patented citrus flavonoid blend
Researchers from Sao Paulo State University in Brazil and the USDA’s US Horticultural Research Laboratory in Florida investigated the potential health benefits of Eriomin, a standardized citrus flavonoid ingredient developed and distributed by California-based Ingredients by Nature.
“The results revealed that the flavonoids in Eriomin play a remarkable role in prediabetes management, prompting us to begin a second clinical trial with results expected by the end of the year,” said Thais Cesar, PhD, associate professor of nutrition at Sao Paulo State University and one of the authors of the study.
The ingredient will first be available to manufacturers in the US, with global distribution planned soon.
Read more HERE
