The Green Claims Directive has moved one step closer to becoming European Union law. Once passed, within 24 months CO2 offset-based claims like "carbon neutral" will be banned altogether, claims like “environmentally friendly” will require substantive backing and sustainability labels in general will need to be approved beforehand by certification schemes or public authorities. 

London-based start-up Phizz markets in the UK's busy wellness category effervescent products that it claims effectively hydrate while also providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Italy reclassifies natural CBD as a narcotic drug. The decision may see challenges from companies marketing in Italy natural CBD supplements registered in other European countries, given that the European Court of Justice (CJEU) overturned a similar position taken by France in 2020.  

UK consumers will soon be able to purchase at an "accessible" price branded levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptive, LoviOne, marketed by switch specialists Maxwellia. 

A partnership with Swiss functional ingredients supplier Phytonet AG brings UK prebiotic specialist Clasado 14 steps closer to global coverage for Bimuno GOS. 

Flarin Holdings recently secured £5m ($6.2m) investment from UK television company ITV's Media for Equity fund in return for a minority stake in the company, which markets analgesic brand Flarin in the UK. The investment could be a springboard for international expansion, including in the US, Flarin's managing director Philip Lindsell tells HBW Insight in an exclusive in-depth interview.