Questions and Answers on Food Information to Consumers

Was there really a need to change the food labelling legislation?

The current legislation on general food labelling dates back to 1978 and nutrition labelling rules were adopted in 1990. Consumer demands and marketing practices have evolved significantly since then. EU consumers want to be better informed when purchasing food. They want labels that are understandable, accurate and not misleading. After more than three years in the making, the new legislation will help consumers make informed decisions on the food they buy. It could aslo contribute to a better lifestyle and healthier choices.

What changes can I expect to see from the new labelling scheme?

The new legislation lays down general principles on food labelling. It also provides more specific requirements that include for example:

• Improved legibility of information (minimum font size for mandatory information);
• Clearer and harmonised presentation of allergens for prepacked foods (emphasis by font, style or background colour) in the list of ingredients;
• Mandatory allergen information for non-prepacked food, including restaurants and cafes;
• Requirement of certain nutrition information for majority of prepacked processed foods;
• Mandatory origin information for fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goats and poultry;
• Same labelling requirements for online, distance-selling or buying in a shop;
• List of engineered nanomaterials in the ingredients.
• Specific information on the vegetable origin of refined oils and fats;
• Strengthened rules to prevent misleading practices;
• Indication of substitute ingredient for 'Imitation' foods;
• Clear indication of "formed meat" or "formed fish"; and
• Clear indication of defrosted products.

Will small, illegible information be addressed?

This is a key issue addressed in the new legislation. The rules require that mandatory information must be printed in a minimum font size and voluntary information (e.g. slogans or claims) must not be presented in a way that adversely affects the presentation of the mandatory information. Additional rules on legibility will also be established in the future.

Will the new rules help me to eat more healthily?

In principle, yes. Clearer information on certain important nutritional characteristics of processed foods – energy, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt – will be provided. This will enable consumers to compare foods before purchasing, helping them to make more informed dietary choices to meet their individual requirements. It will also be possible for information on selected nutrients to be included on the front of the package, which will make it easier for consumers to compare products when shopping.

How are the information needs of people suffering from allergies taken into account?

The new rules strengthen the existing information on certain substances causing allergic reactions or intolerances. The aim is to inform and better protect the health of people with food allergies. Food businesses will need to provide such information on all foods. It is down to the national authorities in EU Member States to decide the means by which such information should be provided.

What are the food information requirements if I buy food online or through distance-selling?

The new rules explicitly state that when food is sold via distance communication, most of the mandatory information on the label shall be available before the purchase is concluded. This information shall appear on the material supporting the distance selling (webpage or catalogue) or through other appropriate means. This requirement takes full account of all ways of supplying food to consumers. In other words, information that is to be provided on food labels, is the same regardless of whether the product was bought online, through distance-selling means (for example a catalogue) or in a supermarket.

Will I be better informed on the origin of my food with the new rules?

The new rules maintain, in general, the current approach: country of origin or place of provenance labelling on food is voluntary, unless its absence could mislead consumers.

The Regulation introduces mandatory origin labelling for fresh meat from sheep, goat, poultry and pigs. The Commission has adopted implementing rules that determine the way the origin information is expressed. The rules, with some exemptions, provide that the Member State or third country where the animal was reared and slaughtered will appear on the label.

The country of origin or place of provenance of the main ingredients must also be listed if those ingredients originate from a different place than the finished product. For example, butter churned in Belgium from Danish milk could be labelled as "produced in Belgium from Danish milk." Those rules will protect consumers from misleading origin indications and will ensure a level playing field between food business operators.

How can I know whether I eat an "authentic" and not a "fake" food?

Counterfeiting of food and drink is a major concern. It can take various forms, such as adulterating a product by dilution or substitution of inferior ingredients or implying a false origin of the product.

The new rules will ensure that when a food is not exactly what it appears to be, relevant information will be provided to prevent consumers from being misled by a certain presentation or appearance. When some ingredients, normally expected to be in the food, have been replaced by others, the substitute ingredients will be labelled prominently on the package and not only in the list of ingredients. For meat and fish products, prominent information will be given on the presence of added water and of any added proteins of different animal origin. In addition, such foods when they give the impression that they are made of a whole piece of meat or fish, although they consist of different pieces combined together, will be labelled as "formed meat" or "formed fish."

For foods implying or indicating a false origin, the new rules set certain criteria to ensure that voluntary origin indications do not mislead consumers. Operators who make origin claims are required to provide further information so that people know where the characterising ingredient of the food actually comes from, not just the last country where the food was processed.

Will we see the changes on the labels from 13 December 2014?

Yes, the food industry has had a transitional period of three years to ensure that that rules will come into effect as of 13 December 2014. However, you may still find on the market products labelled with the old rules as the Regulation provides for exhaustion of stocks for foods placed on the market or labelled before 13 December 2014 (Attention: not exhaustion of stocks for labels).

The rules on mandatory nutrition information will only apply from 13 December 2016. When however the nutrition declaration is provided on the labels after 13 December 2014, it shall comply with the rules of the Regulation.

What should I do if I see a label that does not respect the new rules after 13 December 2014?

The enforcement of EU labelling rules is entrusted to the Member States and complaints should be addresses to the national competent authorities.

ANNEX