Food legislation and food safety – May 2026

Food Contact Materials (FCMs) – rules and regulations
EU: Keller and Heckman reports that the EC has published the initial Union register of novel technologies (401 kB) required under Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastic FCMs. Germany: Keller and Heckman reports that the BfR has launched a public consultation on Recommendation XXXVI for paper and cardboard FCMs. Because there is no specific EU-wide regulation for paper, the BfR Recommendations (in German) are used across Europe as the de facto safety standard. Unofficial translations in English can be found here. UK: FPF reports that the FSA will postpone enforcement of a proposed ban on bisphenols in FCMs. There was a comment period in early 2026. The FSA was originally planning to align the UK with the EU’s bisphenol ban from 20 July 2026.

Claims, marking and labelling – rules and regulations
EU: The Council has agreed on a negotiating position for updating Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling. Among other things, the update would revise the labelling rules for imports from equivalent third countries, allowing the EU organic logo to be used only when additional EU requirements are met. Regulation (EU) 2026/471 on the 'wine package' has been published. Among other things, labelling rules will become more simplified across the EU. Consumers will gain clearer access to information, including through digital labels and pictograms. NL: For some companies trading in vegetables such as cabbage, carrots and leeks, packed in sacks or bales, it is still common practice to place a label bearing the required information inside the packaging. This practice was tolerated but current techniques make it possible to display this information externally on the packaging so there is no longer any reason to allow this exception. As an inspection body, KCB (in Dutch) therefore points companies to the applicable regulations. The Children's Marketing Monitor for Food Products 2025 (in Dutch, 7.88 MB) has been sent (in Dutch) to the Dutch House. Despite the ban on the use of licensed characters, 36 products featuring characters such as Super Mario and Pokémon were found in 2025. US: In 2024, the FDA updated the definition of the term “healthy” and proposed an “FDA healthy” label for food packages, which is still undergoing approval. A recent study led by Oregon State University shows that when labels are viewed as credible, such as when they have the endorsement of a government agency, they are more likely to influence eating patterns and purchasing habits. Although a warning label on alcoholic beverages is required, new labels warning of specific disease risks, including cancer and liver disease, could better motivate reduced drinking, according to a new study by the Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Is Mondelez guilty of shrinkflation?
The Regional Court of Bremen has ruled (in German) that consumers must not be misled if products contain less content whilst the packaging remains the same (shrinkflation). In a dispute with Mondelez, Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg (in German) had previously brought legal action concerning Milka brand chocolate bars. Mondelez reduced the weight of some bars from 100 to 90 grams last year – whilst keeping the packaging size and design unchanged.

Research on plastic FCMs
A new report by Earth Action systematically quantifies the release of micro- and nanoplastics from food packaging directly into food. You can download the report after filling in your details. A recent report (3.94 MB) by the FAO calls for robust risk assessment for recycled plastic FCMs. FPF reports on a Justus Liebig University Giessen study assessing migration from coffee-to-go cups and meal-to-go boxes made of cellulose.

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