Emma Calvert
@emmacalvert.bsky.social
Back in Belfast after 15 wonderful years working and living in Brussels.
Formerly food @ European Consumer Organisation (@beuc.bsky.social) trying to make healthier choices easier for all!
Still dipping a toe into EU Food Policy.
Formerly food @ European Consumer Organisation (@beuc.bsky.social) trying to make healthier choices easier for all!
Still dipping a toe into EU Food Policy.
New 🇮🇹 food faux outrage just dropped 🥱
Lollobrigida upset a jar of carbonara has the wrong type of processed meat (yes really).
Always reminds me of the excellent @financialtimes.com
on the invention of Italian food traditions.
As American as it is Italian it seems..pork jowl not until the 90s..
Lollobrigida upset a jar of carbonara has the wrong type of processed meat (yes really).
Always reminds me of the excellent @financialtimes.com
on the invention of Italian food traditions.
As American as it is Italian it seems..pork jowl not until the 90s..
November 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
New 🇮🇹 food faux outrage just dropped 🥱
Lollobrigida upset a jar of carbonara has the wrong type of processed meat (yes really).
Always reminds me of the excellent @financialtimes.com
on the invention of Italian food traditions.
As American as it is Italian it seems..pork jowl not until the 90s..
Lollobrigida upset a jar of carbonara has the wrong type of processed meat (yes really).
Always reminds me of the excellent @financialtimes.com
on the invention of Italian food traditions.
As American as it is Italian it seems..pork jowl not until the 90s..
More great news on the state of children’s health
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
More great news on the state of children’s health
Very sorry to read that Eurocare will be closing its Brussels office.
The EU alcohol industry is a lobbying juggernaut which has maintained its unjustified special treatment for decades.
With no dedicated EU public health org working on alcohol, fixing this imbalance is now even more difficult :(
The EU alcohol industry is a lobbying juggernaut which has maintained its unjustified special treatment for decades.
With no dedicated EU public health org working on alcohol, fixing this imbalance is now even more difficult :(
November 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Very sorry to read that Eurocare will be closing its Brussels office.
The EU alcohol industry is a lobbying juggernaut which has maintained its unjustified special treatment for decades.
With no dedicated EU public health org working on alcohol, fixing this imbalance is now even more difficult :(
The EU alcohol industry is a lobbying juggernaut which has maintained its unjustified special treatment for decades.
With no dedicated EU public health org working on alcohol, fixing this imbalance is now even more difficult :(
Not only is the NutrInform battery (made in 🇮🇹 as an ‘alternative’ to the #Nutriscore) nowhere to be seen in Italian supermarkets (apart from a few Ferrero products 🤨), but as the programme shows, very complex and not easy to understand!
A total red herring 😒
A total red herring 😒
October 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Not only is the NutrInform battery (made in 🇮🇹 as an ‘alternative’ to the #Nutriscore) nowhere to be seen in Italian supermarkets (apart from a few Ferrero products 🤨), but as the programme shows, very complex and not easy to understand!
A total red herring 😒
A total red herring 😒
Watching the last itw I did before leaving 🇧🇪 (and @beuc.eu 😢) on the sabotage of the #NutriScore
Great exposure of the unprecedented level of lobbying against a public health tool in 🇮🇹. From Ferrero to Meloni, Coldiretti to Federalimentare: shocking the effort made to stop it becoming the EU label
Great exposure of the unprecedented level of lobbying against a public health tool in 🇮🇹. From Ferrero to Meloni, Coldiretti to Federalimentare: shocking the effort made to stop it becoming the EU label
October 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Watching the last itw I did before leaving 🇧🇪 (and @beuc.eu 😢) on the sabotage of the #NutriScore
Great exposure of the unprecedented level of lobbying against a public health tool in 🇮🇹. From Ferrero to Meloni, Coldiretti to Federalimentare: shocking the effort made to stop it becoming the EU label
Great exposure of the unprecedented level of lobbying against a public health tool in 🇮🇹. From Ferrero to Meloni, Coldiretti to Federalimentare: shocking the effort made to stop it becoming the EU label
Think I need a shower after reading this exposé into the dirty tricks of the meat industry (and their paid shills) who worked relentlessly to undermine the EAT Lancet planetary diet...
Having had the misfortune to engage with one of the mis-influencers mentioned, this paragraph👇 rings very true:
Having had the misfortune to engage with one of the mis-influencers mentioned, this paragraph👇 rings very true:
October 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Think I need a shower after reading this exposé into the dirty tricks of the meat industry (and their paid shills) who worked relentlessly to undermine the EAT Lancet planetary diet...
Having had the misfortune to engage with one of the mis-influencers mentioned, this paragraph👇 rings very true:
Having had the misfortune to engage with one of the mis-influencers mentioned, this paragraph👇 rings very true:
New ridiculous health claim on food just dropped…
Anti-aging granola 🙃
Anti-aging granola 🙃
July 4, 2025 at 8:43 AM
New ridiculous health claim on food just dropped…
Anti-aging granola 🙃
Anti-aging granola 🙃
🌱Good news buried in this article is that consumers are almost unanimously (91%) willing to try *plant * based alternatives to meat.
As the 🇩🇰 minister says, we need to enact policy levers to make that shift ‘easy and tasty’ instead of blaming.
@eu2025dk.bsky.social should have lots to share!
As the 🇩🇰 minister says, we need to enact policy levers to make that shift ‘easy and tasty’ instead of blaming.
@eu2025dk.bsky.social should have lots to share!
June 26, 2025 at 4:51 AM
🌱Good news buried in this article is that consumers are almost unanimously (91%) willing to try *plant * based alternatives to meat.
As the 🇩🇰 minister says, we need to enact policy levers to make that shift ‘easy and tasty’ instead of blaming.
@eu2025dk.bsky.social should have lots to share!
As the 🇩🇰 minister says, we need to enact policy levers to make that shift ‘easy and tasty’ instead of blaming.
@eu2025dk.bsky.social should have lots to share!
And this is not even a concern for most consumers, as long as the label is clear! ➡️ tinyurl.com/BEUCVeggieBu...
June 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
And this is not even a concern for most consumers, as long as the label is clear! ➡️ tinyurl.com/BEUCVeggieBu...
😔Child obesity rates in England set to rise in *90%* of the country. Of course the areas most affected are also the most deprived.
Who can doubt that the food system is broken? And at what point does the drastic deterioration in children’s health see a policy response at the necessary scale?
Who can doubt that the food system is broken? And at what point does the drastic deterioration in children’s health see a policy response at the necessary scale?
June 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
😔Child obesity rates in England set to rise in *90%* of the country. Of course the areas most affected are also the most deprived.
Who can doubt that the food system is broken? And at what point does the drastic deterioration in children’s health see a policy response at the necessary scale?
Who can doubt that the food system is broken? And at what point does the drastic deterioration in children’s health see a policy response at the necessary scale?
🚥 So who said the #NutriScore was over?
Fantastic news as Romania prioritises consumer interests and approves the use of the label + officially notifies it to the Commission.
Let the momentum continue 👀
technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.eu/en/notificat...
Fantastic news as Romania prioritises consumer interests and approves the use of the label + officially notifies it to the Commission.
Let the momentum continue 👀
technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.eu/en/notificat...
June 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
🚥 So who said the #NutriScore was over?
Fantastic news as Romania prioritises consumer interests and approves the use of the label + officially notifies it to the Commission.
Let the momentum continue 👀
technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.eu/en/notificat...
Fantastic news as Romania prioritises consumer interests and approves the use of the label + officially notifies it to the Commission.
Let the momentum continue 👀
technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.eu/en/notificat...
Fraser Goodwin of @epha-eu.bsky.social:
Poor diets are much more than just personal choices. Highlights the report from @beuc.eu @epha-eu.bsky.social and @eurogroupforanimals.org ‘The Illusion of Choice’ - it is #foodenvironments which need changed
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
Poor diets are much more than just personal choices. Highlights the report from @beuc.eu @epha-eu.bsky.social and @eurogroupforanimals.org ‘The Illusion of Choice’ - it is #foodenvironments which need changed
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
June 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Fraser Goodwin of @epha-eu.bsky.social:
Poor diets are much more than just personal choices. Highlights the report from @beuc.eu @epha-eu.bsky.social and @eurogroupforanimals.org ‘The Illusion of Choice’ - it is #foodenvironments which need changed
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
Poor diets are much more than just personal choices. Highlights the report from @beuc.eu @epha-eu.bsky.social and @eurogroupforanimals.org ‘The Illusion of Choice’ - it is #foodenvironments which need changed
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
@beuc.eu Director @arcapde.bsky.social highlights the excoriating rise of NCDs in Europe as well as the worrying levels of childhood #obesity.
Consumers want to eat healthier and more sustainably but the #foodenvironments we live in push them in the wrong direction. Needs tackled!
Consumers want to eat healthier and more sustainably but the #foodenvironments we live in push them in the wrong direction. Needs tackled!
June 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM
@beuc.eu Director @arcapde.bsky.social highlights the excoriating rise of NCDs in Europe as well as the worrying levels of childhood #obesity.
Consumers want to eat healthier and more sustainably but the #foodenvironments we live in push them in the wrong direction. Needs tackled!
Consumers want to eat healthier and more sustainably but the #foodenvironments we live in push them in the wrong direction. Needs tackled!
Götz Brandau, LIDL, makes the point that it’s easy to point the figure at consumers but you need to make sure the offer is there for them.
Having plant based options in the product categories at the supermarket is key!
Having plant based options in the product categories at the supermarket is key!
June 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Götz Brandau, LIDL, makes the point that it’s easy to point the figure at consumers but you need to make sure the offer is there for them.
Having plant based options in the product categories at the supermarket is key!
Having plant based options in the product categories at the supermarket is key!
MEP Wiesek @reneweurope.bsky.social makes lots of good points in his introductory remarks.
💚Plant based diets are an essential component of the transition to more sustainable food systems.
💚We have an inspiring example of how to do it from 🇩🇰.
💚Not about eliminating choices but expanding them!
💚Plant based diets are an essential component of the transition to more sustainable food systems.
💚We have an inspiring example of how to do it from 🇩🇰.
💚Not about eliminating choices but expanding them!
June 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
MEP Wiesek @reneweurope.bsky.social makes lots of good points in his introductory remarks.
💚Plant based diets are an essential component of the transition to more sustainable food systems.
💚We have an inspiring example of how to do it from 🇩🇰.
💚Not about eliminating choices but expanding them!
💚Plant based diets are an essential component of the transition to more sustainable food systems.
💚We have an inspiring example of how to do it from 🇩🇰.
💚Not about eliminating choices but expanding them!
🌱Packed room at today’s event in the @europarl.europa.eu on plant based foods.
Clear interest from across the political spectrum about how the EU can move to more production *and* more consumption of #plantbased food!
Clear interest from across the political spectrum about how the EU can move to more production *and* more consumption of #plantbased food!
June 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
🌱Packed room at today’s event in the @europarl.europa.eu on plant based foods.
Clear interest from across the political spectrum about how the EU can move to more production *and* more consumption of #plantbased food!
Clear interest from across the political spectrum about how the EU can move to more production *and* more consumption of #plantbased food!
🥤‘It can’t be up to parents, grandparents + other concerned individuals to regulate this massive industry + its insidious advertising.’
⚽️Nice article on why #CocaCola pays💰for sports sponsorship (+ why it should be stopped from doing so)👇
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
⚽️Nice article on why #CocaCola pays💰for sports sponsorship (+ why it should be stopped from doing so)👇
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
June 10, 2025 at 9:24 PM
🥤‘It can’t be up to parents, grandparents + other concerned individuals to regulate this massive industry + its insidious advertising.’
⚽️Nice article on why #CocaCola pays💰for sports sponsorship (+ why it should be stopped from doing so)👇
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
⚽️Nice article on why #CocaCola pays💰for sports sponsorship (+ why it should be stopped from doing so)👇
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
At today’s @euractiv.com conference Agri commissioner @christophehansen.bsky.social underlines the importance of reciprocity on #animalwelfare for both agricultural producers + NGOS.
Our @beuc.eu survey showed indeed that this is very important to consumers too 👇
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
Our @beuc.eu survey showed indeed that this is very important to consumers too 👇
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
June 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
At today’s @euractiv.com conference Agri commissioner @christophehansen.bsky.social underlines the importance of reciprocity on #animalwelfare for both agricultural producers + NGOS.
Our @beuc.eu survey showed indeed that this is very important to consumers too 👇
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
Our @beuc.eu survey showed indeed that this is very important to consumers too 👇
www.beuc.eu/sites/defaul...
🥣Breakfast cereal industry-funded paper says breakfast cereals are healthy shocker.
But what about the fact cereals are one of the biggest contributors to sugar intake?
Unfortunately the word ‘reformulation’ doesn’t appear once.
Instead ‘policy messaging’ (ie consumer education) is preferred 🙄
But what about the fact cereals are one of the biggest contributors to sugar intake?
Unfortunately the word ‘reformulation’ doesn’t appear once.
Instead ‘policy messaging’ (ie consumer education) is preferred 🙄
June 3, 2025 at 7:34 AM
🥣Breakfast cereal industry-funded paper says breakfast cereals are healthy shocker.
But what about the fact cereals are one of the biggest contributors to sugar intake?
Unfortunately the word ‘reformulation’ doesn’t appear once.
Instead ‘policy messaging’ (ie consumer education) is preferred 🙄
But what about the fact cereals are one of the biggest contributors to sugar intake?
Unfortunately the word ‘reformulation’ doesn’t appear once.
Instead ‘policy messaging’ (ie consumer education) is preferred 🙄
🥩🍗🥓 In the UK, as in 🇪🇺, meat consumption is too high incl. for processed meat.
🔽Interesting new report on:
🍽️ Who eats the most & where?
🌎 Why it matters?
🫛How can we ↘️ consumption?
Recommendations include: procurement, a plant based food strategy + mandatory reporting! ✅
🔽Interesting new report on:
🍽️ Who eats the most & where?
🌎 Why it matters?
🫛How can we ↘️ consumption?
Recommendations include: procurement, a plant based food strategy + mandatory reporting! ✅
May 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
🥩🍗🥓 In the UK, as in 🇪🇺, meat consumption is too high incl. for processed meat.
🔽Interesting new report on:
🍽️ Who eats the most & where?
🌎 Why it matters?
🫛How can we ↘️ consumption?
Recommendations include: procurement, a plant based food strategy + mandatory reporting! ✅
🔽Interesting new report on:
🍽️ Who eats the most & where?
🌎 Why it matters?
🫛How can we ↘️ consumption?
Recommendations include: procurement, a plant based food strategy + mandatory reporting! ✅
⚠️Un-beli-iev-able!
Not only are junk food ad rules being delayed *again* (after heavy lobbying), it looks like brand marketing will be allowed.
This means that brands like #CocaCola can simply swap their full-sugar can for the practically-identical zero sugar one in an ad + be deemed compliant!
Not only are junk food ad rules being delayed *again* (after heavy lobbying), it looks like brand marketing will be allowed.
This means that brands like #CocaCola can simply swap their full-sugar can for the practically-identical zero sugar one in an ad + be deemed compliant!
May 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
⚠️Un-beli-iev-able!
Not only are junk food ad rules being delayed *again* (after heavy lobbying), it looks like brand marketing will be allowed.
This means that brands like #CocaCola can simply swap their full-sugar can for the practically-identical zero sugar one in an ad + be deemed compliant!
Not only are junk food ad rules being delayed *again* (after heavy lobbying), it looks like brand marketing will be allowed.
This means that brands like #CocaCola can simply swap their full-sugar can for the practically-identical zero sugar one in an ad + be deemed compliant!
👀Absolutely fascinating insight into the tone the UK food industry feels it can take when lobbying public authorities to amend food policy to their liking.
Reads more like demands of a disappointed boss than an industry stakeholder talking to govt authorities…
Reads more like demands of a disappointed boss than an industry stakeholder talking to govt authorities…
May 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
👀Absolutely fascinating insight into the tone the UK food industry feels it can take when lobbying public authorities to amend food policy to their liking.
Reads more like demands of a disappointed boss than an industry stakeholder talking to govt authorities…
Reads more like demands of a disappointed boss than an industry stakeholder talking to govt authorities…
🧑🌾Our new report on consumer attitudes▶️the CAP is out👇
🙂 6/10 have a positive view about agriculture BUT..
⚠️A significant number don't think CAP subsidies are fully achieving key consumer priorities e.g.:
💊Reducing antibiotic or pesticides use
💵Food affordability
We need a #CAPforConsumers too!
🙂 6/10 have a positive view about agriculture BUT..
⚠️A significant number don't think CAP subsidies are fully achieving key consumer priorities e.g.:
💊Reducing antibiotic or pesticides use
💵Food affordability
We need a #CAPforConsumers too!
May 15, 2025 at 9:17 AM
🧑🌾Our new report on consumer attitudes▶️the CAP is out👇
🙂 6/10 have a positive view about agriculture BUT..
⚠️A significant number don't think CAP subsidies are fully achieving key consumer priorities e.g.:
💊Reducing antibiotic or pesticides use
💵Food affordability
We need a #CAPforConsumers too!
🙂 6/10 have a positive view about agriculture BUT..
⚠️A significant number don't think CAP subsidies are fully achieving key consumer priorities e.g.:
💊Reducing antibiotic or pesticides use
💵Food affordability
We need a #CAPforConsumers too!
Commissioner Várhelyi admits we are entering an era where almost a whole generation will have an underlying condition: diabetes, #obesity. We have to act.
He says he's working on a plan where those who contribute to these damages will contribute to overcome them...
👀 We'll be following closely!
He says he's working on a plan where those who contribute to these damages will contribute to overcome them...
👀 We'll be following closely!
May 13, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Commissioner Várhelyi admits we are entering an era where almost a whole generation will have an underlying condition: diabetes, #obesity. We have to act.
He says he's working on a plan where those who contribute to these damages will contribute to overcome them...
👀 We'll be following closely!
He says he's working on a plan where those who contribute to these damages will contribute to overcome them...
👀 We'll be following closely!
Good point well made by MEP @martinhaeusling.bsky.social!
Childhood obesity is a serious problem and our kids are far too exposed to high levels of fats, salt and sugar. We need urgent labelling!
Can only agree: effective nutrition labels really can help consumers opt for healthier choices!
Childhood obesity is a serious problem and our kids are far too exposed to high levels of fats, salt and sugar. We need urgent labelling!
Can only agree: effective nutrition labels really can help consumers opt for healthier choices!
May 13, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Good point well made by MEP @martinhaeusling.bsky.social!
Childhood obesity is a serious problem and our kids are far too exposed to high levels of fats, salt and sugar. We need urgent labelling!
Can only agree: effective nutrition labels really can help consumers opt for healthier choices!
Childhood obesity is a serious problem and our kids are far too exposed to high levels of fats, salt and sugar. We need urgent labelling!
Can only agree: effective nutrition labels really can help consumers opt for healthier choices!