Food becoming more calorific but less nutritious due to rising carbon dioxide

A valuable exchange at the 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 in Brussels. Policymakers, experts and citizens discussed food safety, sustainability and consumer protection, and we officially launched BiteWatch, our new food literacy app.

1⃣ We are deeply concerned by the amendments concerning plant protection products #pesticides contained in the #omnibus package. Unlimited approval periods and lack of clarity around the science that will be used for re-assessments in particularly worrying.

2⃣ This opens the door to industry-led research being used in assessments, creating a clear conflict of interest.

3⃣ The scope for targeted derogations of pesticide bans is broadened in this new legislation. This weakens the protection of human health and the environment. Recently SAFE co-signed an open letter to the European Commission asking for measures to avoid this loophole. #omnibus

1️⃣The European Commission's Plan for #CardiovascularHealth falls short of protecting public health. We are disappointed that the current proposal refuses to put forward any mandatory taxes or levies on #UPFs. Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in the EU.

2️⃣ Ultra-processed foods #UPFs are one of the main drivers of cardiovascular diseases and non-communicable diseases - #NCDs. We call for mandatory taxes on UPFs, targeting production and imports, based on maximum limits of UPF-linked additives and ingredients.

3️⃣ This would encourage product reformulation. The model is based on the UK model to address sugar-sweetened beverages, which achieved a 30% drop in sugar in the composition of sweet beverages between 2015 and 2018.

4️⃣ This system would *not* target the final consumer.

LEAK on 9th #Omnibus: Commission is about to publish a massive betrayal to human health and the environment: ☠️ Giving unlimited approval for #pesticides! 😵‍💫 Who will pay that bill, Ursula? #EUAgriFoodDays 💀 Who will profit: Big Polluters like #Bayer & #BASF: corporateeurope.org/en/2025/12/p...

The Austrian government has introduced a legislation to combat “shrinkflation,” a concealed practice where product contents are reduced while prices remain unchanged. 💶 SAFE calls for the adoption of a EU-wide legislation. 🏷️ More information: safefoodadvocacy.eu/austrian-gov...

We call on the ENVI Committee of the @europarl.europa.eu to reject the compromise exempting new genomic techniques from the so-called category 1 from labeling and traceability requirements. It puts organic food production at risk and leaves consumers in the dark. We support the original EP proposal.

🚨 Alarming news! The EU may soon allow pesticides to remain approved indefinitely, with no deadlines to check for new harms. SAFE urges EU Commissioners to protect citizens, farmers and nature - not industry profits! 💶 #ProtectMyPlate#EndToxicPesticideEra

Today is World Soil Day!🌱 ⚠️95% of our food depends on healthy soils. Yet 60% in Europe are degraded. SAFE urges EU member states to strongly implement the EU Soil Law to protect this essential resource for sustainable food systems. Source: @fao.org

📬Preventia’s September Newsletter is out! 👇 tinyurl.com/szbvvprp 🥗Stay ahead with the latest studies, news, events, and EU regulatory updates on NCDs, nutrition, and health 👉To subscribe: tinyurl.com/4uhdzhhm #HealthierTogether#PreventNCDs#healthyeating

Under this compromise, category 1 NGT plants would be sold alongside organic plants, without distinction, with organic producers technically unable to avoid NGT presence in their produce, leaving both producers and consumers in the dark. Patent problems are left unresolved, too.

We oppose the political agreement to exempt certain non-genomic techniques #NGTs from the legal requirements currently applicable to #GMOs, as reached today between the @consilium.europa.eu and the @europarl.europa.eu. It undermines the integrity of organic food production and consumer choice.

🎙️ In the latest episode of our podcast, Floriana Cimmarusti, Secretary General of SAFE, emphasises that for SAFE, ‘natural’ should mean products free from synthetic ingredients, GMOs, and NGTs. 👉 Find the full episode on Spotify: shorturl.at/P5cS5

SISTERS developed home compostable packaging made with artichoke extract. 🔗The science behind this innovation has just been revealed here: sl1nk.com/v8oXs #SISTERSproject#EUFoodPolicy#EUGreenDeal

✨ Over 200 participants joined SAFE’s 10th Annual Conference to discuss food safety, consumer protection, food waste, and sustainable packaging. 🙏 We are grateful to all our speakers and members who joined us, and to all participants online and onsite. See you next year! @ec.europa.eu

🎙️ In our latest episode, Frazer Goodwin, former Advocacy Coordinator at EPHA, shares a strong message: the European Commission isn’t doing enough to protect consumers when it comes to food sold on the market 🍽️. 👉 Find the full episode on Spotify: shorturl.at/P5cS5

Annual Conference 2025: final remarks from our Secretary General Floriana Cimmarusti. We are thankful for the insights and lively debates that guests and participants have brought in. See you next year!

Discussing the benefits of packaging reuse, with the expert panel of R3PACK. Plastic reuse and plastic substitution through fibre-based packaging are key parts of this 3-year-long Horizon project.

Our Deputy Director Luigi Tozzi, wrapping up the panel on geographical indication foods from the consumers' perspective, with the participation of SAFE members.

🚨 It’s launch day! 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 — our new food scanning app — is now available 📲 Scan products, access clear info, and make more informed food choices. Designed for food literacy and inclusion. 🔗 Now on the App Store & Google Play. #BiteWatch #FoodTransparency #SAFEconsumers

SAFE's Annual Conference 2025: Now speaking about geographical indication food products and how to improve their contributions to sustainability, with a focus on our project GISMART.

Policy recommendations from our SISTERS project on how to remove legal obstacles to food loss and waste reduction. #FLW #FoodWaste

Now with Maximilian Herzog, from @foodrise-eu.bsky.social, speaking about differences in perceptions around food waste reduction across Europe and celebrating the adoption of the first legally-binding targets in the EU. And with Laurent Caplat, talking short food chains and platform Regioneo.

Moving on to discuss #FoodWaste #FLW, looking into recent legislative change and SAFE's journey against food waste: if food waste were a country, it would be the third global emitter of CO2, after the US and China.

Join our Conference online on Teams: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...

Discussing misleading natural claims, with Livia Menichetti, Director General of European federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers. #WeValueTrueNatural

Moving on to the presentation of #BiteWatch, our new food scanner app. Already available for downloads here! 👉 play.google.com/store/apps/d... 👉 apps.apple.com/be/app/bitew...

Our Annual Conference is on!

Opening words from Secretary General, Floriana Cimmarusti, from @europarl.europa.eu Vice President Antonella Sberna, and from the Brussels Director of @fao.org, Rashad Al-Khafaji.

The authors call for large-scale epidemiological studies and for precautionary measures, including front-of-package labelling requirements, until sufficient evidence is gathered. ⛔

The increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods requires decisive policy actions, according to three scientific articles published in the @thelancet.com, based on a meta-analysis of epidemiological data, by 43 international experts, including Carlos Monteiro, the 1ST one to speak of #UPFs.

🌱 Morena Silvestrini, coordinator of LIKE-A-PRO, shared the project at Next Bite 2025 on food innovation. 💬 Experts discussed integrating alternative proteins into food systems and challenges like trust, regulation, and scaling. Photo: EIT Food @ec.europa.eu

🍬 It’s #SugarAwarenessWeek2025 How much sugar is added to everyday foods? Check it on our BiteWatch app, to be released very soon!This is an outcome of our Preventia project. SAFE supports clearer info for smarter shopping. Because without transparency, there’s no real choice.

Our Annual Conference is this Thursday! 📅 20 November 2025 | 🕘 09:00–17:30 📍 Martin's Hotel Brussels EU, Boulevard Charlemagne 80, Brussels 📄 Agenda: safefoodadvocacy.eu/events/regis... 📝 Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/12CE... 📩 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Knowledge is the first ingredient in your meal. This #WorldDiabetesDay, we focus on information, so that every food choice becomes a step towards health, inclusion and empowerment. #FoodInclusion #EmpowerConsumers

📅 This week a SAFE delegation is in Japan, to discuss collaboration with Japan’s consumer organisations. Today, we present the results of the first round of workshops within FEASTS, with consumers 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 and the food chain, on novel food acceptance, highlighting the need for clear labelling.

🎙️ In the latest episode of our podcast, Silvia Schmidt, Policy Manager at @organicseurope.bsky.social, highlights that manufacturers can add the word “natural” on their products without any real basis which misleads consumers. 🌿 👉 Find the episode on Spotify: shorturl.at/P5cS5

📅 This week a SAFE delegation has met the Japan Federation of Consumer Organisations in Tokyo. 🤝 Secretary General Floriana Cimmarusti and Deputy Director Luigi Tozzi presented SAFE’s talked about collaboration on consumers' food rights.🎓 The meeting was hosted by Dr Hideaki Karaki.

In September, the Circalgae project consortium met in Iceland and organised a half-day hybrid workshop. Experts explored new ways to make better use of algae and marine by-products through eco-friendly biorefinery methods.🪸 👉The replay is now available: l1nq.com/d5Bxz #HorizonEurope

In just 2 weeks, we’re launching BiteWatch at SAFE’s Annual Conference! A new food scanning app for clear, reliable info on what you eat — with a focus on food literacy & inclusion. 📍 Join us in Brussels on 20 Nov: bit.ly/481Zmv1 📲 Available from 20 Nov on Apple & Google Play.

🎙️ In the latest episode of our podcast, MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis shares his thoughts on how marketing has shaped our perception of food 🍽️. He argues that labels like “natural” are often just advertising tactics designed to attract consumers. 🧠 Full episode here: shorturl.at/P5cS5

✅SAFE, as part of @tealhelixproject.bsky.social, is interviewing experts to develop: 1️⃣ Integrity guidelines for sustainability communication 2️⃣ An integrity decision-making tool to align strategies with ethical and social principles 🌾https://tealhelix.eu/ #HorizonEurope#FutureOfFood

Less than 3 weeks to go until SAFE’s 2025 Annual Conference! 👉 Secure your place now, in person or online: l1nk.dev/8uze9 👇 Find the agenda: l1nq.com/2ndPY

SAFE fully supports this initiative to strengthen the enforcement of the EU pesticide law. We are co-signatories of the letter. 👇

📣📨 138 organisations call for full, ambitious implementation of EU #pesticide law. Farmers across Europe are proving that farming without harmful pesticides works and is needed to protect #soils, #water, #biodiversity and #health. 👶🥕🍏🐝🐦🦋🪱💧 👉 www.pan-europe.info/press-releas... #stopharm