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.
Excellent read: how EU taxpayers’ money is going to marketing funds promoting intensive meat and dairy production (often with bogus claims)
The 2020 #FarmToFork strategy committed to making the EU promotion policy more sustainable but naturally, it was another victim of the agri industry lobbying….
The 2020 #FarmToFork strategy committed to making the EU promotion policy more sustainable but naturally, it was another victim of the agri industry lobbying….
🔴 NEW 🔴
MEPs Call for Urgent Review of €1.5 Billion EU Food Scheme Pushing ‘Misleading’ Claims
📝 @lauravilladiego.bsky.social 👇
www.desmog.com/2025/11/25/m...
MEPs Call for Urgent Review of €1.5 Billion EU Food Scheme Pushing ‘Misleading’ Claims
📝 @lauravilladiego.bsky.social 👇
www.desmog.com/2025/11/25/m...
MEPs Call for Urgent Review of €1.5 Billion EU Food Scheme Pushing 'Misleading' Claims
EU taxpayers are funding a multi-year campaign blitz which frequently overstates the environmental benefits of eating meat and dairy while featuring bizarre and misleading claims. Since 2017, the Euro...
www.desmog.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Excellent read: how EU taxpayers’ money is going to marketing funds promoting intensive meat and dairy production (often with bogus claims)
The 2020 #FarmToFork strategy committed to making the EU promotion policy more sustainable but naturally, it was another victim of the agri industry lobbying….
The 2020 #FarmToFork strategy committed to making the EU promotion policy more sustainable but naturally, it was another victim of the agri industry lobbying….
🥛Sugar tax, rightly, being extended to sugary dairy drinks in the UK.
🥤 A shame that it won’t cover such drinks sold in restaurants, fast food outlets or cafes where ‘freakshakes’ or ‘frappuccinos’ contain grotesque amounts of sugar, some nearly hitting the recommended daily limit in *one* drink…
🥤 A shame that it won’t cover such drinks sold in restaurants, fast food outlets or cafes where ‘freakshakes’ or ‘frappuccinos’ contain grotesque amounts of sugar, some nearly hitting the recommended daily limit in *one* drink…
UK to extend sugar tax to cover milkshakes and pre-packed lattes
UK to extend sugar tax to cover milkshakes and pre-packed lattes
Health secretary tells MPs the government ‘will not look away as children get unhealthier’
*
Business live – latest updates
Sweet-toothed consumers face paying more for their milkshakes and pre-packaged lattes after the government confirmed plans for a tougher sugar tax.
Designed to tackle obesity, the levy currently applies to drinks with a sugar content of 5g for each 100ml. However, after a public consultation this is being cut to 4.5g for each 100ml. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
🥛Sugar tax, rightly, being extended to sugary dairy drinks in the UK.
🥤 A shame that it won’t cover such drinks sold in restaurants, fast food outlets or cafes where ‘freakshakes’ or ‘frappuccinos’ contain grotesque amounts of sugar, some nearly hitting the recommended daily limit in *one* drink…
🥤 A shame that it won’t cover such drinks sold in restaurants, fast food outlets or cafes where ‘freakshakes’ or ‘frappuccinos’ contain grotesque amounts of sugar, some nearly hitting the recommended daily limit in *one* drink…
Reposted by Emma Calvert
“Even if fossil fuel emissions were eliminated immediately, emissions from the global food system alone would make it impossible to limit warming to 1.5°C and difficult even to realize the 2°C target…major changes in how food is produced [and consumed] are needed…”
November 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
“Even if fossil fuel emissions were eliminated immediately, emissions from the global food system alone would make it impossible to limit warming to 1.5°C and difficult even to realize the 2°C target…major changes in how food is produced [and consumed] are needed…”
Reposted by Emma Calvert
European Court of Justice ruling slams Ireland on water quality, a ‘national embarrassment’.
How long more will the people of this country put up with our rivers being destroyed for private profit?
share.google/xzTWNuALN6PE...
How long more will the people of this country put up with our rivers being destroyed for private profit?
share.google/xzTWNuALN6PE...
A ‘national embarrassment’: Ireland in breach of multiple water quality rules, court finds
European Court of Justice ruling raises questions about Government’s system of water charges
share.google
November 22, 2025 at 7:14 AM
European Court of Justice ruling slams Ireland on water quality, a ‘national embarrassment’.
How long more will the people of this country put up with our rivers being destroyed for private profit?
share.google/xzTWNuALN6PE...
How long more will the people of this country put up with our rivers being destroyed for private profit?
share.google/xzTWNuALN6PE...
Reposted by Emma Calvert
We're constantly being told that pollution prevention measures are working and more time is needed to show results. But the rivers don't lie.
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
Half of Cork farms inspected by Council failed water quality protection regulations
Half of the farms inspected by Cork County Council under the National Agriculture Inspection Programme (NAIP) this year have failed to comply with the government’s Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) reg...
www.independent.ie
November 22, 2025 at 8:40 AM
We're constantly being told that pollution prevention measures are working and more time is needed to show results. But the rivers don't lie.
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
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..
Reposted by Emma Calvert
NEW report by @greenpeace.de 🚨 Shein's ultra-fast fashion system is based on overproduction, hazardous chemicals, and exploitation.
32% of tested garments contained hazardous chemicals exceeding limits set by the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH), including children's clothing.
Read it below 👇
32% of tested garments contained hazardous chemicals exceeding limits set by the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH), including children's clothing.
Read it below 👇
New Report: Hazardous chemicals in Shein clothing continue to violate EU limits - Greenpeace European Unit
BClothing from online retailer Shein still contains hazardous chemicals, according to a new report by Greenpeace Germany. Eighteen of a total of 56 tested garments (32 percent) from the Chinese&helli...
www.greenpeace.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
NEW report by @greenpeace.de 🚨 Shein's ultra-fast fashion system is based on overproduction, hazardous chemicals, and exploitation.
32% of tested garments contained hazardous chemicals exceeding limits set by the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH), including children's clothing.
Read it below 👇
32% of tested garments contained hazardous chemicals exceeding limits set by the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH), including children's clothing.
Read it below 👇
Some startling statistics here on agri industry infiltration in Cop30:
😫300+ big agri lobbyists present
🥓🧀 Meat + dairy lobbyists most common (72 out of 302 agri lobbyists)
👨🏻💻1 in 4 agri lobbyists part of country official delegations (!!)
Business as usual>lobbying as usual>inaction as usual
😫300+ big agri lobbyists present
🥓🧀 Meat + dairy lobbyists most common (72 out of 302 agri lobbyists)
👨🏻💻1 in 4 agri lobbyists part of country official delegations (!!)
Business as usual>lobbying as usual>inaction as usual
November 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Some startling statistics here on agri industry infiltration in Cop30:
😫300+ big agri lobbyists present
🥓🧀 Meat + dairy lobbyists most common (72 out of 302 agri lobbyists)
👨🏻💻1 in 4 agri lobbyists part of country official delegations (!!)
Business as usual>lobbying as usual>inaction as usual
😫300+ big agri lobbyists present
🥓🧀 Meat + dairy lobbyists most common (72 out of 302 agri lobbyists)
👨🏻💻1 in 4 agri lobbyists part of country official delegations (!!)
Business as usual>lobbying as usual>inaction as usual
Reposted by Emma Calvert
The Common Agricultural Policy should support a shift towards #SustainableFoodSystems: moving away from low-welfare husbandry while supporting nature-friendly farming and fairer incomes.
As MEPs head into talks on this policy, here are key recommendations by the @eufpc.bsky.social 👉 bit.ly/3LKI1hv
As MEPs head into talks on this policy, here are key recommendations by the @eufpc.bsky.social 👉 bit.ly/3LKI1hv
November 18, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The Common Agricultural Policy should support a shift towards #SustainableFoodSystems: moving away from low-welfare husbandry while supporting nature-friendly farming and fairer incomes.
As MEPs head into talks on this policy, here are key recommendations by the @eufpc.bsky.social 👉 bit.ly/3LKI1hv
As MEPs head into talks on this policy, here are key recommendations by the @eufpc.bsky.social 👉 bit.ly/3LKI1hv
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
Yet more special treatment for the wine industry: no debate allowed on the new 🍷 package? 🙄
I’ve been in meetings where the industry has woefully complained young people aren’t drinking enough 🍷. Why do we need these interventions to prop it up though?
‘Let the market decide’..unless it’s wine 🫠
I’ve been in meetings where the industry has woefully complained young people aren’t drinking enough 🍷. Why do we need these interventions to prop it up though?
‘Let the market decide’..unless it’s wine 🫠
“No meeting minutes have been shared, no stakeholder consultation has been opened [..]. For those who work to reduce alcohol-related harm, [..] the message it sends is unmistakable: the interests of producers matter more than the wellbeing of citizens.”
euobserver.com/eu-political...
euobserver.com/eu-political...
Lack of transparency of EU's new wine proposals will cause a hangover
The EU Wine Package — a broad reform of the rules for how wine should be produced, marketed, and labelled across the EU — is moving forward with unusual speed and limited transparency.
euobserver.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Yet more special treatment for the wine industry: no debate allowed on the new 🍷 package? 🙄
I’ve been in meetings where the industry has woefully complained young people aren’t drinking enough 🍷. Why do we need these interventions to prop it up though?
‘Let the market decide’..unless it’s wine 🫠
I’ve been in meetings where the industry has woefully complained young people aren’t drinking enough 🍷. Why do we need these interventions to prop it up though?
‘Let the market decide’..unless it’s wine 🫠
Reposted by Emma Calvert
So the EP Agri committee, so adamant that consumers would be confused by labels saying VeggyBurger or Vegeterian sausage, have voted to allow booze producers to replace health indications with a QR code
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
November 6, 2025 at 4:10 PM
So the EP Agri committee, so adamant that consumers would be confused by labels saying VeggyBurger or Vegeterian sausage, have voted to allow booze producers to replace health indications with a QR code
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
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
Something so singularly depressing to be out of the Brussels bubble for 3 months, to now see that *this* is what has been occupying our decision-makers' time...
The planet burns and we're talking about whether a veggie sausage can be called a sausage, my god...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
The planet burns and we're talking about whether a veggie sausage can be called a sausage, my god...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘Veggie burgers’ could be off EU menu as MEPs back renaming plant-based foods
Proponents say move would strengthen position of farmers in supply chain but critics dismiss it as ‘hotdog populism’
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Something so singularly depressing to be out of the Brussels bubble for 3 months, to now see that *this* is what has been occupying our decision-makers' time...
The planet burns and we're talking about whether a veggie sausage can be called a sausage, my god...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
The planet burns and we're talking about whether a veggie sausage can be called a sausage, my god...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
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:
Reposted by Emma Calvert
Food scarcity as a result of climate change is something we're not speaking about enough, and while the worst effects will be felt in the Global south, the north will feel it too. Already our weather and growing patterns are altered, and it will be difficult to adapt to such unpredictability.
‘Climateflation’ could push up UK food prices by more than a third by 2050, report says
‘Climateflation’ could push up UK food prices by more than a third by 2050, report says
Exclusive: Increasingly extreme weather a threat to production and supply chains in Britain and elsewhere
Britain is at risk of a worsening “climateflation” crisis amid the fallout from increasingly extreme weather that could drive up food prices by more than a third by 2050.
Sounding the alarm over the financial impact for UK households, the Autonomy Institute thinktank said that climate-induced price increases for everyday food items risked pushing almost 1 million people into poverty without urgent government intervention. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Food scarcity as a result of climate change is something we're not speaking about enough, and while the worst effects will be felt in the Global south, the north will feel it too. Already our weather and growing patterns are altered, and it will be difficult to adapt to such unpredictability.
Reposted by Emma Calvert
15+ years old, but still VERY relevent — and if we had acted 15 years ago, the “better world” we’d be creating would be a LOT better & easier to reach. There are real consequences we’re just starting to see to not heeding this cartoon a lot sooner.
Even worse if we don’t heed it now. #ClimateCrisis
Even worse if we don’t heed it now. #ClimateCrisis
July 23, 2025 at 5:44 AM
15+ years old, but still VERY relevent — and if we had acted 15 years ago, the “better world” we’d be creating would be a LOT better & easier to reach. There are real consequences we’re just starting to see to not heeding this cartoon a lot sooner.
Even worse if we don’t heed it now. #ClimateCrisis
Even worse if we don’t heed it now. #ClimateCrisis
😵💫Another win for the alcohol industry at the expense of people’s health.
The lobby was incredibly intense to prevent simply informing consumers on the harm alcohol use has on their health.
Extremely disappointing to see a government jettison labels at the behest of such pressure…
The lobby was incredibly intense to prevent simply informing consumers on the harm alcohol use has on their health.
Extremely disappointing to see a government jettison labels at the behest of such pressure…
Ireland has officially delayed the introduction of health warning labels on alcohol from 2026 to 2028
Alcohol Action Ireland said: "Irish people are being denied their right to information regarding the facts about alcohol." @alcoholireland.ie
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
Alcohol Action Ireland said: "Irish people are being denied their right to information regarding the facts about alcohol." @alcoholireland.ie
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
Government delays introduction of alcohol warning labels until 2028
Labels which warn of links between alcohol and cancer had been due to come into effect in May 2026
www.irishexaminer.com
July 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
😵💫Another win for the alcohol industry at the expense of people’s health.
The lobby was incredibly intense to prevent simply informing consumers on the harm alcohol use has on their health.
Extremely disappointing to see a government jettison labels at the behest of such pressure…
The lobby was incredibly intense to prevent simply informing consumers on the harm alcohol use has on their health.
Extremely disappointing to see a government jettison labels at the behest of such pressure…
Reposted by Emma Calvert
💡 Denmark’s Plant-Based Action Plan shows the way: built on trust, backed by business, welcomed by consumers.
Now 130+ orgs call for an EU-wide plan + Protein Diversification Strategy. Let’s scale this!
Check the full joint blueprint here 👉 www.beuc.eu/reports/blue...
#ProteinDiversification
Now 130+ orgs call for an EU-wide plan + Protein Diversification Strategy. Let’s scale this!
Check the full joint blueprint here 👉 www.beuc.eu/reports/blue...
#ProteinDiversification
Blueprint for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods: Proposed measures to unlock the full potential of the plant-based sector
Following a call from 130+ organisation looking at the why the EU should adopt an Action Plan for Plant-based Foods by 2026, to strengthen plant-based agri-food chains - from farmers to consumers, thi...
www.beuc.eu
July 14, 2025 at 12:22 PM
💡 Denmark’s Plant-Based Action Plan shows the way: built on trust, backed by business, welcomed by consumers.
Now 130+ orgs call for an EU-wide plan + Protein Diversification Strategy. Let’s scale this!
Check the full joint blueprint here 👉 www.beuc.eu/reports/blue...
#ProteinDiversification
Now 130+ orgs call for an EU-wide plan + Protein Diversification Strategy. Let’s scale this!
Check the full joint blueprint here 👉 www.beuc.eu/reports/blue...
#ProteinDiversification
Interesting -🇨🇭will require disclosure➡️consumers when meat comes from animals mutilated w/o pain relief.
Ideally, these mutilations would be banned or better, not ‘necessary’ in the 1st place.
But it’s a transparency boost + much needed-consumers are poorly informed about animal welfare practices..
Ideally, these mutilations would be banned or better, not ‘necessary’ in the 1st place.
But it’s a transparency boost + much needed-consumers are poorly informed about animal welfare practices..
The list of terrible things done to farmed animals is so long, and meat/dairy/egg companies don't have to disclose them. That'll soon change in Switzerland — at least for one set of really awful practices. New story today in our Processing Meat newsletter:
July 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Interesting -🇨🇭will require disclosure➡️consumers when meat comes from animals mutilated w/o pain relief.
Ideally, these mutilations would be banned or better, not ‘necessary’ in the 1st place.
But it’s a transparency boost + much needed-consumers are poorly informed about animal welfare practices..
Ideally, these mutilations would be banned or better, not ‘necessary’ in the 1st place.
But it’s a transparency boost + much needed-consumers are poorly informed about animal welfare practices..
Reposted by Emma Calvert
So, for JCDecaux, paying for billboards to advertise junk food is 👌… but renting advertising space to give children a commercial break and protect their health isn’t 🙄
Well done to @biteback2030.bsky.social for their #CommercialBreak campaign!
www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/252331/...
Well done to @biteback2030.bsky.social for their #CommercialBreak campaign!
www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/252331/...
Ad giants 'silence' youth-led campaign against junk food advertising
Bite Back’s award-winning anti-junk food advertising campaign has been blocked by JCDecaux and Global, sparking censorship claims from young activists.
www.newfoodmagazine.com
July 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
So, for JCDecaux, paying for billboards to advertise junk food is 👌… but renting advertising space to give children a commercial break and protect their health isn’t 🙄
Well done to @biteback2030.bsky.social for their #CommercialBreak campaign!
www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/252331/...
Well done to @biteback2030.bsky.social for their #CommercialBreak campaign!
www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/252331/...
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 🙃
‘Scientists say climate breakdown caused by the burning of fossil fuels means more frequent floods and droughts are likely in the UK.’
Almost as if the biggest risk to food security is the climate crisis…🤔
Almost as if the biggest risk to food security is the climate crisis…🤔
Food prices pushed up by hot weather hitting harvest yields, say UK retailers
Food prices pushed up by hot weather hitting harvest yields, say UK retailers
Rising fruit and vegetable prices contribute to jump in annual food price inflation in June to 3.7%
Britain’s largest retailers are warning that food prices are being driven up by hot weather hitting harvest yields, as the latest UK heatwave pushes temperatures close to record levels.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said rising fruit and vegetable prices had contributed to a jump in food price inflation in June, while retailers also passed on tax rises and employment costs to consumers. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 1, 2025 at 6:47 AM
‘Scientists say climate breakdown caused by the burning of fossil fuels means more frequent floods and droughts are likely in the UK.’
Almost as if the biggest risk to food security is the climate crisis…🤔
Almost as if the biggest risk to food security is the climate crisis…🤔