Member States have voted to support the compromise on the labelling of foods that has been agreed between the Hungarian Presidency and the European Parliament. The goal of the new measures is to make it easier for consumers to recognise and decide which foodstuffs are healthier. The new EU regulation on the labelling of food products will be adopted at the plenary meeting of the European Parliament on July 5.

Simpler Consumer Choices

The greatest achievement of the new legislation is that in the future it will be compulsory to indicate information on nutritional content such as the quantity of energy and fat, saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, sugars and salt on pre-packed foods, and always relative to 100 grams or 100 millilitres of product. In addition to this data, the producer may also choose to provide further information relative to other quantities.

Another important result is that the information provided on the packaging must be legible. According to the new regulations, the minimal font size for all compulsory information is 1.2 mm, unless the largest surface area available on the packaging is smaller than 80 cm2, in which case the letters must be no smaller than 0.9 mm. If the total surface area of the packaging is smaller than 25 cm2, then it will not compulsory to provide information on nutritional content.

According to the internationally accepted and observed Codex Alimentarius, the name of the food, possible allergens, the net weight and the consume-by date must always be displayed, regardless of the size of the packaging.

The Country of Origin is no longer a Secret

The regulation requiring the provision of the country of origin, which until now had only been in effect with regard to beef following the BSE epidemic some years ago, will now be made compulsory in the case of pork, lamb, goat and poultry meat products. The country of origin must also be displayed on fruits, vegetables, honey and olive oil, as well as on any food products where the lack of information regarding the country of origin may be misleading to consumers.

Compulsory Labelling of Allergens and Food Imitates

Another significant step forward in EU food labelling regulations is the fact that in future allergenic substances must also be displayed in addition to other ingredients. Similar consumer safety considerations are behind the fact that it will become compulsory to display the vegetable of origin on all vegetable oils. The new regulations also include stricter guidelines with regard to misleading product packaging, so for instance it will become compulsory to label products that are similar to other foodstuffs but are produced using different ingredients.

Regulation of Trans Fats on the Horizon

According to the agreement, the Council must prepare a report on the possible physiological effects of trans fatty acids within three years of the new legislation coming into effect. The report should include recommendations on whether their presence should be displayed on food packaging or if their use should be restricted. If required, the Council must also prepare a draft regulation on the subject in addition to the abovementioned report.

(eu2001.hu, Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)