Non-alcoholic Drinks

All change for the fruit juices and nectars regulations

The need to implement Directive 2012/12/EU and the desire to make life simpler for fruit drink producers were the driving forces behind The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (England) Regulations 2013. The 2013 Regulations give effect to the Directive and consolidate, with the removal of minor ‘gold plating’ and as a part of the Red Tape Challenge, all the earlier regulations into a single set which came into force on 20 November 2013.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) consulted on the proposed changes earlier this year and publication of the response coincided with the implementation of the 2013 Regulations. The changes were broadly welcomed by the five bodies which responded to the consultation, two trade associations and three local authority trading standards bodies, and have provoked little or no critical response.

The consumer's right to choose raw milk is to be reviewed

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to consider reviewing the arrangements governing the sale of raw drinking milk and cream when it next meets on 20 March. A report to the FSA Board prepared by the Agency’s Director of Food Safety sets out the current position and recommends the FSA fully assess the possible options for managing food safety risks:

Fruit juices – new rules on composition and labelling

The regulation of fruit juices and similar products is governed by EC Directive 2001/112 which in England is implemented by the Fruit Juice and Fruit Nectars (England) Regulations 2003 (similar provision exists for Scotland, Wales and Ireland) but on 14 December 2011 the European Parliament approved a proposed directive amending Directive 2001/112.