EU: Country of origin information compulsory in F&V labelling

Euro MPs choose the Guideline Daily Amounts scheme for food labelling over the colour code system.

Country of origin information is now compulsory in all European fruit and vegetable labelling, as it is for all other food products, following  a vote taken by Euro MPs in June. Through this legislation, the European Parliament has set the new regulations for food packaging in the EU.

According to the Spanish Farmers’ Association, ASAJA, “this legislation is undoubtedly beneficial for both producers and consumers of fruit and vegetables in Europe, since the new regulations provide consumers with clearer information about the product.”

Under the new legislation, food produce will have to be packed according to the Guideline Daily Amounts scheme, a system that expresses the nutritional content as a percentage of the recommended daily intake.

This scheme was chosen over the colour code labelling system, which uses red, orange and green colours to indicate fat, sugar and salt levels, thereby informing consumers about how healthy the product is.
Despite the rejection of this colour code model, it is endorsed by several entities, such as the British Heart Foundation, the British Medical Association and the European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC), and it has also been used by some supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s.
According to BEUC, “independent research has clearly shown that consumers found the colour coding or traffic light system the simplest and most informative way to make healthier choices about the products they buy.”

S&G Brassicas Today – July 2010