European Parliament Adopts New Food Labeling Rules

On July 6, the European Parliament approved new food labeling rules to mandate nutrition values on packaged foods and revised allergen alerts for all types of foods. Under the new rules, packaged food products must provide information about calories, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt. The nutrition values must be stated in a tabular form on the packaging and all information must be expressed per 100 g or 100 ml.

The revised allergen labeling rules require that allergenic ingredients be highlighted in the ingredient list on pre-packaged foods. In the case of non-packaged foods sold in restaurants, member states must decide the best method for alerting consumers to allergenic substances.

Country-of-origin labeling requirements have been revised. Under the new labeling rules, country-of-origin labels are now required for fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry. Existing regulations require origin labels for certain foods, including beef, honey, olive oil, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Once the final legislation is published in the EU Official Journal, food companies will have three years to adapt to most of the rules, with five years for the rules on nutrition labeling.