Ask the Expert: EU Food labelling legislation
Sara Poulson, senior lecturer, food science and technology; solicitor (non-practising) at Nottingham Trent University, explains the impact of new EU food labelling rules.
The current legislation on general food labelling is looking past it’s sell by date; dating back to 1978. It’s also very complex, having been amended many times over the last 30 years.
The EU wants to update the law to reflect how food is packaged and sold; hence the new regulation on the provision of food information to consumers. Consumers today are presented with more innovative packaging and ever more complex styles of labels.
The aim of the legislation is to modernise, simply and clarify food labelling. The commission doesn’t want to stifle innovation from industry but wants to ensure the consumer can easily access the most important and relevant information they need to make informed choices.
The general provisions for food labelling will remain largely unaltered under the new regulations - so it shouldn’t impact businesses too much. There are however some key changes to be aware of:
• Allergen Labelling: At present allergens must be indicated on pre-packaged foods. However, mindful that 70 per cent of all anaphylactic shocks occur when people are eating out, the EU has recognised that people with allergies need this information whether the food is packaged or not. The new rules will affect those who operate restaurants and other catering establishments as allergens will need to be indicated e.g. peanuts, milk, etc.
• Country of Origin: The requirements to clarify country of origin will extend to identifying the origin of the primary ingredient where that is different to the origin of the product or at least indicating that the origins are not the same. This will affect manufacturers who source a main ingredient from a different country to that of manufacture.
• Nutrition Labelling: The original proposal to make a front of pack nutritional declaration compulsory has been dropped; but subject to a few exceptions nutritional information will have to be provided.
• Font Size: A minimum size will be required for mandatory information to improve legibility for consumers
The Regulation is expected enter into force by the end of October 2011. The Regulation will contain transitional provisions to allow for implementation by the food industry.
Contact details
Sara Poulson
sara.poulson@ntu.ac.uk
01636 817066
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