Nutrition labelling causes headaches
The proposal for a Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers was enthusiastically announced last month by the European Commission, but is causing some concern within industry.
Compulsory labelling requirements remain broadly the same but there are some significant changes. In particular, pre-packaged foods will be required to be labelled with key nutritional information on the front of the package regardless of any claims.
General requirements on how nutritional information should be displayed on labels are set down, although provision is made for member states to promote additional national schemes provided they do not undermine the EU rules. If it carries through to the Regulation, this allowance for national rules will undoubtedly cause headaches for suppliers trading across a number of member states. The proposal also puts the declaration of nutrients in a different order to the current format causing additional work for companies already providing full nutritional data.
Nutrition information would be required for energy value and the amount of fats, saturated fats, sugars and salt per 100 ml/g or portion of the product and this information is to be given in the principal field of vision of the label. In addition, the proportion of these elements to the reference intakes (eg Recommended Daily Allowance) must be indicated. The declaration of trans fats, monounsaturates, polyunsaturates, polyols, starch, fibre, protein and certain vitamins and minerals remains voluntary unless a nutrition and/or health claim is made.
Impacts could also be significant for origin indications and information provision for online and mail order purchasing. I thoroughly recommend checking out these provisions and watching developments closely.
Kath Veal is business manager, Regulatory and Technical Consultancy Services at Leatherhead Food International
