News and Views

Vitamin D deficiency remains a key nutrition issue. Feb 2012

Vitamin D remains high on the nutrition agenda as a confirmed by recent communication from the UK's Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, raising awareness of the problems of vitamin D deficiency with health professionals and encouraging them to take appropriate action.

Changes ahead for specialist nutrition product labels Dec 2011

The long awaited Food Information to Consumers Regulation was published in November 2011. This new Regulation will result in changes to most food and drink labels, including those of specialist nutrition products. The majority of these label changes will need to be made by December 2014 in accordance with the transition periods for the Regulation.

Revision of the legislation for dietetic foods under consideration by the European Parliament Dec 2011

The European Commission's proposal to revise the current legislation for Foods for Particular Nutritional Uses (PARNUTs), known as the 'PARNUTs Framework Directive', has been under discussion by the European Council of Ministers since October 2011 and the Polish Presidency of the Council has issued a report on the progress to date as part of its handover to the new Danish Presidency which will take over from 1 January 2012.

Proposal to revise the legislation for dietetic foods now under discussion by the European Council of Ministers Nov 2011

The European Commission published a proposal to revise the current legislation for Foods for Particular Nutritional Uses (PARNUTs), known as the 'PARNUTs Framework Directive', in June 2011. The Commission proposal is now under discussion by the European Council of Ministers.

Infant and Toddler Forum launches new factsheet on toddler portion sizes Oct 2011

The Infant & Toddler Forum have recently published a new resource for health professionals providing guidance and suitable portion sizes for infants and young children.

Department of Health launches a UK Consultation on the European Commission proposals to revise the legislation for dietetic foods Aug 2011

The UK Department of Health has launched a consultation on the proposals put forward by the European Commission for the revision of the current legislation for Foods for Particular Nutritional Uses (PARNUTs), known as the 'PARNUTs Framework Directive'.

Inappropriate complementary feeding is associated with high sodium intakes in young children Aug 2011

Researchers at the University of Bristol have reviewed the sodium intakes of 8 month old infants, with results showing that 70% of the group had sodium intakes higher than the recommended level of 400mg a day.

Commission proposals for the dietetic food sector are a threat to vulnerable consumers Jun 2011

The European Commission published new proposals for the Dietetic foods sector on 20 June 2011. These proposals suggest that slimming foods (meal replacements), sports nutrition products and gluten-free foods become “general” foods.

New study shows late introduction of solids to infants does not protect against allergies Jun 2011

The Generation R Study, undertaken in the Netherlands and published in Archives of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, followed almost 7000 infants up to four years of age assessing incidence of eczema and wheezing. The results showed that the introduction of milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and gluten before six months of age were not significantly associated with eczema or wheezing at any age,

SACN Report 'Iron and Health' confirms toddlers are a key group at risk of iron deficiency. May 2011

The UKs Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition published their review of Iron and Health in Spring 2011. The report represents a scientific review of all aspects of iron in health, including infants and young children.