This study, conducted by the European Club of Pediatric Dietitians (CEDE), evaluates the impact of the Nutri-Score algorithm revision (taking effect between 2024 and 2025, depending on the country) on the breakfast cereal category in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The results show that the new formula is much stricter, leading to a widespread downgrading of products—particularly those aimed at children—due to their high added sugar content.
This epidemiological study provides, for the first time, exploratory evidence of associations between food coloring additives and cancer incidence. Consumption of total coloring additives was found to be significantly associated with a higher incidence of overall cancer (a rate of 13.3% among high consumers of colorings compared to 12.1% among low consumers), as well as breast cancer and postmenopausal breast cancer. Plain caramel (E150a) was associated with an increased incidence of overall cancer, while beta-carotene (E160a) was associated with an increased incidence of both overall cancer and breast cancer. These findings require confirmation.
In 2019, Hall et al. showed in a randomized controlled study that a diet based on so-called “ultra-processed” foods according to the NOVA classification increased caloric intake by about 500 kcal/day compared to an “unprocessed” diet. This article by Jeffrey Brunstrom et al. reanalyzed the consumption data. Although participants were encouraged to eat as much or as little as desired, they chose meal components with different nutritional characteristics between the “ultra-processed” diet and the “unprocessed” one, which altered their energy intake.
On February 20, 2026, the EFSA published a positive opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to oat beta-glucans and the reduction of postprandial glucose peak.
As every year during the “Salon International de l’Agriculture” (SIA 2026) of Paris, INRAE organized conferences and roundtables at its booth. We particularly enjoyed the session led by Sophie Nicklaus (Scientific Director for Food and Health, INRAE) and Catherine Renard (Director of the Carnot Qualiment Institute, INRAE) on “Innovating through Fermentation for Sustainability and Health”. This conference highlighted the growing impact of projects from the Carnot Qualiment Institute:
Considering multi-country recalls of infant formula products following the detection of cereulide, a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established the acute reference dose for cereulide in infants. On the basis of infant formula consumption, the EFSA also defined the cereulide concentrations in infant formula of potential safety concern. These data will help EU risk managers determine when products should be withdrawn from the market as precautionary health measure.
A study conducted in May 2025 on food supplements sold in the Republic of Ireland assessed the prevalence of health claims on labelling and their compliance with the European Regulation on nutrition and health claims No. 1924/2006, by comparing products sold online and in stores. It shows some regulatory non-compliances of the claims, illustrating that there are still difficulties in applying the Regulation 1924/2006, 20 years after its publication.
An umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses published in February 2025 (Emma L. Beckett, 2025) showed some health benefits associated with the consumption of 100% fruit juice, with few health risks.
#CFIA2026 will take place from march 10 to 12, 2026 at Rennes Parc Expo, from 9 am to 6 pm. Orchidali will be present at this event, contact us and meet us there!
On February 5th, the FoodTech Show 2026 will take place at Village by CA (Paris) for a day dedicated to agri-food innovation, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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