Current Issues
14 July 2011 : New EU labelling regulations
New EU labelling
regulations It is reported that Member of
European Parliaments (MEPs) approved a new regulation on labelling which the
labels have to identify a food's energy content as well as fat, saturated fat,
carbohydrate, sugar, protein and salt levels, in a way that makes consumers easy to read. The aim of the
new regulation is to provide more and better information to consumers, to make
informed choices when buying. According to
the new rules, the energy content and amounts of fat, saturated fat,
carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt shall be stated in a legible tabular
form on the packaging, together and in the same field of vision. And this
information shall be expressed per 100g or per 100ml. In addition, it may also
be expressed per portion. More
information on the current and new rules: It is further
described on important aspects as the followings: Current
rules New
rules Allergic substances - all ingredients - including
allergenic substances - must be indicated on the labels of pre-packed foods. - they will have to be highlighted in
the ingredient list for easier for consumers to see if a product contains
allergenic substances. - information on allergens shall be
given for non-packaged foods, for example on food sold in restaurants or
canteens. Origin of certain foods - certain foods
such as beef, honey, olive oil and fresh fruit and vegetables - already has
to be shown on the label. This also applies where the failure to do so would
mislead the consumer. -this rule will be extended to fresh
meat from pigs, sheep, goat and poultry, at Parliament's request. The
Commission will have to introduce implementing rules for this purpose within
two years of the regulation's entry into force. Country of origin it could be extended to other
categories of food (such as meat when used as an ingredient, milk or
unprocessed foods) but the Commission must first do impact assessments to
weigh up the feasibility and potential costs of doing this. From the report,
it is explained that the new rules will also
ensure that consumers are not misled by the appearance, description or
pictorial presentation of food packaging. In addition, it is expected that it will be easy to spot
"imitation foods" - foods that look similar to other foods but are
made of different ingredients, such as "cheese-like" foods made with
vegetable products. Where an ingredient that would normally be expected has been
replaced, this will have to be clearly stated on the front of the pack in a
prominent font size and next to the brand name. Meat consisting
of combined meat parts must be labelled "formed meat". The same will
apply to "formed fish". Significantly,
it is noted that food companies are allowed to have 3 years to adapt the rules,
except 5 years for the rules on nutrition values Source: http://food-haccp.blogspot.com/