Food labelling rules

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 40, Issue 6.

Food labels should feature mandatory nutritional information and guideline daily amounts, according to draft EU legislation as adopted by the European Parliament. However, MEPs rejected a proposal for “traffic light”values to highlight the salt, sugar and fat content of processed foods. Country of origin labelling is already compulsory for certain foods, such as beef,honey, olive oil and fresh fruit and vegetables. MEPs supported extending this to all meat, poultry, dairy products and other single-ingredient products. They also voted for the country of origin to be stated for meat, poultry and fish when used as an ingredient in processed food. However, this may be subject to an impact assessment.

The final vote in the European Parliament was 559 in favour, 54 against and 32 abstentions. However, no quick agreement is expected with the Council of Ministers so the draft legislation is likely to return to Parliament for a second reading at a later stage. Once the legislation is adopted, food businesses will have three years to adapt to the rules. Smaller operators, with fewer than 100 employees and an annual turnover under €5 million, would have five years to comply.

For further background on the substance of the proposal, as amended by MEPs,see the press release on the European Parliament's website.