(Finance) – The European Commission he proposed to review the rules concerning the marketing of a series of agri-food productssuch as fruit and vegetables, fruit juices and jams, honey, poultry or eggs, with the aim of helping consumers make “informed choices for a healthier diet and help prevent food waste”.
Among the proposals, there is one that concerns origin labelling, with clearer and mandatory rules for honey, nuts and dried fruit, ripe bananas, as well as trimmed, processed and cut fruit and vegetables (such as packaged salad leaves). In the case of blends, the country or countries of origin must be indicated on the label.
On the subject of food waste the proposed revisions concern both food and packaging waste. For example, less attractive fruit and vegetables (with external defects, but still suitable for local/direct consumption) sold locally and directly from producers to consumers are subject to a derogation from the marketing standards.
For jams and marmalades, the fruit content will be raised from a minimum of 350 to 450 grams (550 for high quality products) per kilogram of finished product. With the increase in fruit content, consumers would be offered a product with fewer free sugars and more fruit than currently.
THE fruit juices may bear the mention “without added sugar” to clarify that, unlike fruit nectars, juices cannot by definition contain added sugars, a characteristic of which most consumers are unaware
“Marketing standards are the common language between consumers and operators to know what is being marketed and to ensure fair competition for all in the EU – commented Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture – Just as every language evolves over time, so do needs and habits of all the protagonists of the food chain. We want to improve the transparency of products sold to consumers and reduce food waste, while enhancing production methods that are even more sustainable and healthier for producers”.
Some proposals are open to public feedback for a month, to then be submitted to thescrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council.