Green light for new labelling rules
MEPs have voted in favour of new rules on food labelling in a bid, they say, to help consumers make better informed, healthier choices.
Labels will now have to spell out a food’s energy content as well as fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar, protein and salt levels, in a way that makes them easy for consumers to read.
“The new rules are supposed to provide more and better information to consumers so they can make informed choices when buying,” said MEP Renate Sommer ahead of the vote. “But it’s more than that – the food industry should benefit too. There should be more legal certainty, less bureaucracy and better legislation in general.”
Under the new rules, the information will have to be expressed per 100g or per 100ml. It may also be expressed per portion.
Currently all ingredients – including allergenic substances – must be indicated on the labels of pre-packed foods. In future, if a product contains allergenic substances, it will have to be highlighted in the ingredient list.
Under existing EU rules, the origin of 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 now be extended to fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goat and poultry.
Once the legislation is approved and published, food businesses will have three years to adapt to most of the rules. However, for the rules on nutrition values, they will have five years.
