EU Food Labelling Review - Labelling for the Future Labelling Standards and Allergy Division Stephen Pugh Head, Food Labelling & Marketing Terms Branch stephen.pugh@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Structure of this presentation Where we are Where we are going How we plan to get there
Aim of Food Labelling Legislation Protect Public Health Inform Consumer Choice Promote Fair Trade across the Single Market
Current Legislation General Food Labelling Requirements - Directive 2000/13/EC And many other pieces of EC legislation that affect what you see on a label
Chronology of EU Food Labelling Controls 1979 EC General Labelling 2000 Consolidation EC General Labelling General labelling amendments, eg: Meat products-2001/ Caffeine/Quinine-2002/Allergens-2003 + amendments/phytosterols-2004/nutr Health Claims-2006) 1990 EC Nutrition Labelling 2003 Nutrition labelling amendment Dec 2007 Draft Proposal 2010 New Legislation Compositional Standards, e.g. chocolate, fruit juices etc. 1989 Lot marks + amendments General Hygiene Legislation- 2002 Vitamins and Minerals-2006 CAP-related Marketing Standards (Defra) e.g. beef, veal, wine, eggs etc.
UK Control of Food Labelling General Food Regulation 2004 implementing the Reg 178/2002 Art 14 (unsafe food on the market) Art 16 (misleading labelling, advertising and presentation) FLR 1996 as amended (>30 times!) Directive 2000/13/EC Other (UK) national food labelling rules
Current Scope of Food Labelling Rules All food ready for delivery to ultimate consumer pre-packed pre-packed for direct sale loose, including catering
Some Exemptions, eg: Loose food / prepacked for direct sale / catering UK but not EU definition Small packs/certain indelibly marked bottles Fancy confectionery products eg chocolate eggs Seasonal selection packs
Food Sold Loose Derogation for Member State approach, provided purchaser receives sufficient information Art 14 Dir 2000/13 UK: Pre-packed for direct sale/loose (retail) Name Category additives GM /irradiated ingredients Pre-packed for direct sale/loose (catering) GM/irradiated ingredients
Current Legal Requirements Key requirements of 2000/13 for prepacked foods: Name of food List of ingredients (including allergens) the quantity of certain ingredients Durability indication ( Best before or Use by ) Conditions of storage or use where necessary Name and address of business Place of origin if absence might mislead Alcoholic beverages of >1.2% must declare actual strength Instructions for use where necessary Net Weight
Voluntary Information Vegetarian/vegan labelling Assurance scheme Nutrition information (if no claims are made) May contain Special offer competitions e.g. marketing offers-3 for 2 etc. Method of slaughter (Halal and shechita) Animal welfare (free range etc) Nutrition signposting Brand information Marketing claims such as No artificial additives (similar claims) Environmental impact e.g. dolphin friendly. Production methods (organic etc)
Labelling Issues
Problems Legislation is out of date - originates in 70 s - Markets have moved on - Consumer expectations change As a consequence Amended numerous times Need for simplification
- Marketing descriptions Label Clarity More Problems - Over crowding of labels - Consumers find labels hard to read/use Increased Consumer demand -life style choices - Environmental, Animal Welfare etc. -Misleading labelling - Country of origin
Label Clarity Labels should be: on packaging itself or attached to the food easy to understand (in English), clearly legible and indelible not hidden But
this is not always the case!
Small font, 9 languages and a textured surface!
Clarity Example of good grouping
A Product from 1972
Same Product in 2006
Misleading Labelling Country of Origin Origin must be provided if absence might mislead. In food law the country of origin is - the country in which a product last underwent a treatment or process resulting in a substantial change
Misleading Labelling Country of Origin Bacon labelled as British but made from imported pork Agency Guidance Recommends: Made in Britain from Danish Pork
Guidance Notes Country of Origin Clear Labelling Marketing Terms (Fresh, Pure, Natural) Vegetarian & Vegan
Where are we going?
EU Food Labelling Legislation Commission announcement of Review (General and Nutrition Labelling) Feb 2006 Discussed at Commission Experts Group level Nov 2006-October 2007 Draft proposal for a New Regulation December 2007 Co-decision (European Parliament/Council) re adoption of legislation New directly applicable Regulation in place by 2010
EU Regulation For Food Information. Key Issues so far identified Simplification Introduction of Labelling Principles to Govern Mandatory Labelling Requirements Improve Presentation/Clarity Tightening of Origin Labelling Clarify Position on Loose Foods/Catering Distance selling Extend Ingredient Listing to Alcoholic Drinks Small businesses Governance
Labelling Principles Ensures balance and proportionality Whilst retaining consumer choice
Consultation on Labelling Principles The Principles Safety Key Product Identifiers Nutrition Additional Filters Consumer demand Sustainability
Clarity Problems of small font size In response - Commission likely to introduce minimum print size Have shared Guidance and problems in UK in Experts Group Meetings
Update of Guidance In 2006, survey of uptake of Guidance showed that 87% did not use recommended minimum font size of 8 pt for essential information Also, in 71% of labels, display of features such as brand information was at expense of essential information
Country of origin labelling Commission is likely to tighten voluntary controls. Tighten definitions, for example Last Substantial Change Produce of
Country of origin labelling Survey of uptake of Guidance revealed that a high % (54%) of meat products voluntarily declare origin Few products declared origin of meat ingredient (19%) e.g. meat in a pie Concern over misleading consumers when meat product made from imported meat
Country of origin labelling Food product types consumers would most likely use country of origin labelling on Fresh meat Fruit and Vegetables Meat products such as bacon, sausages and pies Fish/Shellfish Cheese Yogurts and chilled desserts Ready meals Baked products (bread, cakes etc) Rice & Pasta Drinks Honey Herbs and spcies Confectionery Other Don't know 9 8 8 8 7 5 3 1 12 25 29 28 36 % 49 48 Base: All adults responsible for household purchase decisions (1720) Q3. When purchasing food for the first time, on which of these product types are you most likely to use country of origin labelling?
Ingredient Listing on Alc. Drinks Majority of Member States support removal of current exemption on basis of parity with other food. In UK 64% consumers think ingredient list of ingredients on alc. drinks is important; but only 44% would actually use them!
Food Sold Loose Within scope of the new regulations Responsibility of Member States to set their own requirements Exemptions needed for small businesses selling direct to consumer In the UK these requirements are minimal
Foods sold loose Retail sales currently require only: name of the food presence of certain categories of additive presence of ingredients which have been irradiated, or derived from GM foods Are allergens needed? Best practice approach?
Foods sold loose Examples of what you might see on signs
Distance selling and Internet shopping This type of sale is currently not covered by labelling legislation but information must not mislead Commission is likely to introduce new rules in this area. Internet sales expected to grow rapidly
New system - Governance Harmonisation without legislation
How we plan to get there
EU Review of Food Labelling Next Steps Commission draft proposal expected - End December 2007 / January 2008 Council Working Group meetings - Early 2008 Co-decision with European Parliament
Next Steps Receipt of draft Commission s proposal and Impact Assessment (IA) December 2007 / January 2008 Draft UK Impact Assessment + consult publicly January 2008 Stakeholder event to launch consultation January 2008 Negotiations begin (Council Working Group Meetings) Under Slovenian Presidency
What do we want to achieve? Simplification; Aspects of our Key Principles or a model closely based on this; Make sure we maintain certain UK only provisions we want to keep; Increased consumer protection health, choice; Minimise burden on industry
FSA Activity Board discussions so far: Sep 2006 Workshop Dec 2006 Feb 2007 Oct 2007
FSA Activity Effective Stakeholder Engagement - Board OGDs others Influence CION and other MS Influence MEPs
Stakeholder engagement Manufacturers /Trade Associations Enforcement Trading Standards Consumers Caterers Small Businesses Board/Ministers SWANI OGDs Charities - WI
Stakeholder engagement as required Public consultations Interested Parties letters Ad Hoc meetings/briefing Key Stakeholders as required
Conclusion EU Regulation is expected soon Stakeholder engagement and public consultation and drawing up agreed lines in preparation for negotiations at Council WG meetings next year Looking forward to food labelling rules that will be more appropriate for the 21 st century!
Always Read the Label!