January is often a time for reflection on the previous year and anticipation of what is to come.
With the various 'gifts' of legislative change on the food labelling front, has the principle of Better Regulation filtered through for the food industry?
Food labelling is set for major change over the next couple of years and the details of the planned Food Information Regulations from Europe should be available as you are reading this. It is undoubtedly a benefit that this brings together labelling provisions under one set of rules.
The proposed focus for nutrition declarations on 'bad' nutrients is perhaps unsurprising, but the possible removal of fibre from the nutrition panel seems a backward step. Fibre exiting the nutrition panel is perhaps linked to the ongoing lack of clear definition, and at an international level Codex has deferred discussions on this matter until late 2008.
Emphasis on packaging minimisation will continue from a cost and environmental perspective and the potential requirement to introduce a minimum font size of eight point for labelling information will undoubtedly cause conflict in certain sectors.
Health and nutrition claims developments will continue to unfold and, again, at the time of reading this you should be seeing the initial European Food Safety Authority model for nutrient profiles. The application of profiles to foods will determine their ability to carry claims with tight restrictions associated with 'failure' to meet the profile. The final scheme will be set by the Commission and will be next year's 'gift'. Regarding interpretation of the Regulation, the European guidance should be available imminently clarifying borderline issues between nutrition claims and the different categories of health claims.
Happy New Year!
Kath Veal is business manager, Regulatory and Technical Consultancy Services at Leatherhead Food International