EU votes for country of origin labelling
The European Parliament (EP) voted on July 6 to give the go-ahead for country of origin labelling to be extended to fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goat and poultry.
The European Parliament (EP) voted on July 6 to give the go-ahead for country of origin labelling to be extended to fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goat and poultry.
The new rules will also tighten up the law to ensure that shoppers are not being misled by the appearance, description of pictorial presentation of food packaging.
Meats, such as ham, which consist of combined meat parts must be labelled 'formed meat'.
However, the EP stopped short of making it obligatory for the packaging to list the country of origin for meat which is used as an ingredient. Although it has not ruled this out in future, it would have to conduct an impact assessment to determine the feasibility and the potential costs of implementing this policy.
MEP Renate Sommer, who led Parliament’s team in successful negotiations with the European Council, said: “Despite political and ideological differences in the European Parliament, despite national ideological convictions, we have come up with a good compromise. The new rules are supposed to provide more and better information to consumers so they can make informed choices when buying. But the food industry should benefit too. There should be more legal certainty, less bureaucracy and better legislation in general.”
The commission will have to introduce implementing rules within two years of the regulation entry into force.
In addition to country of origin labelling, tables of nutrition values will be made compulsory on packaging, (expressed either per 100g, per 100ml or per portion) and allergens will have to be highlighted in the ingredients list so that shoppers can see them at a glance. Allergen information is also being extended to non-packaged foods, for example foodservice, restaurants and canteens.
Under current legislation certain foods such as beef, honey, olive oil and fresh fruit and vegetables already include the country of origin.
However, the EP stopped short of making it obligatory for the packaging to list the country of origin for meat which is used as an ingredient. Although it has not ruled this out in future, it would have to conduct an impact assessment to determine the feasibility and the potential costs of implementing this policy.
MEP Renate Sommer, who led Parliament’s team in successful negotiations with the European Council, said: “Despite political and ideological differences in the European Parliament, despite national ideological convictions, we have come up with a good compromise. The new rules are supposed to provide more and better information to consumers so they can make informed choices when buying. But the food industry should benefit too. There should be more legal certainty, less bureaucracy and better legislation in general.”
The commission will have to introduce implementing rules within two years of the regulation entry into force.
In addition to country of origin labelling, tables of nutrition values will be made compulsory on packaging, (expressed either per 100g, per 100ml or per portion) and allergens will have to be highlighted in the ingredients list so that shoppers can see them at a glance. Allergen information is also being extended to non-packaged foods, for example foodservice, restaurants and canteens.
Under current legislation certain foods such as beef, honey, olive oil and fresh fruit and vegetables already include the country of origin.
Source: European Parliament
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