The revision goals for extra correct origin labelling to assist shoppers make an knowledgeable alternative on various agri-food merchandise.
On Wednesday, the Atmosphere, Public Well being and Meals Security Committee adopted its place on the revision of EU advertising and marketing requirements for the so-called ‘breakfast’ directives to replace necessities and product definitions with 73 votes in favour, 2 in opposition to and 10 abstentions.
Clear labelling of geographical origin of honey
As shoppers have proven a specific curiosity within the geographical origin of honey, MEPs agree that the nation the place honey has been harvested should seem on the label in the identical visible subject because the product indication. If honey originates from a couple of nation, the nations shall be indicated on the label in descending order in keeping with proportion and if greater than 75% of honey comes from outdoors the EU, this info shall even be indicated clearly on the entrance label. To additional restrict honey fraud, together with using sugar syrups in honey that may be very tough to detect, MEPs additionally wish to set-up a traceability system alongside the provision chain to have the ability to observe the origin of the honey. Beekeepers within the EU with lower than 150 hives could be exempted.
Fruit juices and jam
MEPs agree that the label ‘incorporates solely naturally occurring sugars ought to be allowed for fruit juices. To fulfill rising demand for low-sugar merchandise, reformulated fruit juices could also be labelled ‘reduced-sugar fruit juice’.
MEPs spotlight that new strategies that take away naturally occurring sugars in fruit juices, jams, jellies or milk shouldn’t result in using sweeteners to compensate for the impact of sugar discount on the style, texture and high quality of the ultimate product. In addition they level out that claims concerning constructive properties, resembling well being advantages, should not be made on the labelling of reduced-sugar fruit juice.
For fruit juices, jams, jellies, marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée MEPs additionally need the nation of origin of the fruit used to fabricate the juice to be indicated on the front-label. If the fruit used originates in a couple of nation, the nations of origin shall be indicated on the label in descending order in keeping with their proportion.
Concerning jams, MEPs agree with the proposal to extend the minimal fruit content material, lowering the required added sugar for sure merchandise, and permits the time period ‘marmalade’ for use for all jams (beforehand this time period was solely allowed for citrus jams).
Quote
Rapporteur Alexander Bernhuber (EPP, Austria) mentioned: “Right now is an efficient day for extra clear labelling of origin. Along with stricter high quality standards and controls, the extra exact indication of the nations of origin will present extra transparency and can make it simpler for shoppers to decide on more healthy and regional merchandise. For honey, the necessities to state the nations of origin on labelling will forestall adulteration and facilitate knowledgeable client selections.”
Subsequent steps
Parliament is scheduled to undertake its mandate in the course of the 11-14 December 2023 plenary session, after which it is able to begin negotiations with EU member states.
Background
The revision of EU advertising and marketing requirements for sure ‘breakfast’ directives was proposed by the European Fee on 21 April 2023 to replace present requirements which can be greater than 20 years previous.