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Vol.
7 #4, March 2008
EU Food Regulations
 The
European Commission is hoping to reduce the growing problem of obesity
in Europe with simpler, larger, more harmonized food labeling
rules. Health commissioner Markos Kyprianou unveiled a
legislative proposal on January 30 that would require key nutritional
information such as sugar, fat, and salt content displayed on the front
of food packages.
"Food labels can have a huge influence on consumers' purchasing
decisions," said the commissioner. "Confusing, overloaded or
misleading labels can be more of a hindrance than a help to the
consumer. Today's proposal aims to ensure that fool labels carry
the essential information in a clear and legible way so that EU
citizens are empowered to make balanced dietary choices," Mr. Kyprianou
said.
"We want informed consumers, but we don't want to make the decision for
the consumer. Otherwise we would end up publishing a 'menu of the day'
and telling people what to eat." Instead, Mr Kyprianous said the
commission favored flexibility. It will be mandatory for key
information on energy, fat, saturated fat, and carbohydrates with
reference to sugars and salt content per 100 ml/g or per portion of the
product to be placed on the front of the product. The recommended daily
allowance of these nutrients must also be indicated. Precisely
how this information is to be presented is to be left up to food
producers.
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