European Union

Titanium dioxide, aka E171, was found to be most damaging to the gut microbiome in nanoparticle form

Europe officially bans common white food coloring E171

Following recent recommendations by an expert panel, the European Union has formally banned food coloring E171 from all foods, beginning in 2022. Also known as titanium dioxide, the chemical is commonly used as a white colorant in processed foods.

Single-use plastics would be banned in the EU from 2021 under a plan voted on by the European Parliament

Environment

EU Parliament votes in favor of landmark ban on single-use plastics

The European Parliament has just announced plans to tackle the tide of plastic pollution. Members of the European Parliament have this week voted in favor of a plan that would see items like single-use cutlery and straws banned from 2021 onwards.

A divisive new EU court ruling is placing unprecedented regulations on genetically edited plants and crops

Biology

EU court controversially rules gene-edited crops are subject to tough GMO laws

The European Union has just ruled that gene-edited plants and crops are subject to the same tough regulations as genetically modified organisms. The ruling stands apart from a recent US government statement claiming gene-edited plants are notably different from more comprehensively altered GMOs.