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Natasha’s Law

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What Does Natasha’s Law Mean for My Business?

From October 2021, you must label all foods produced and packed for sale at the same premises with a full list of ingredients. This is coming into force under Natasha’s Law, new food labelling legislation created after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse had a fatal allergic reaction. Natasha’s family have since campaigned for greater transparency around the labelling requirements, the outcome of which is the upcoming law.

What is Natasha’s Law?

In July 2016, 15-year-old Natasha ate a Pret a Manager artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette bought at Heathrow Airport. Unknown to her, sesame seeds had been baked into the bread. Due to her sesame allergy, Natasha sadly died of anaphylaxis after collapsing onboard a flight shortly afterwards.

This tragedy may have been avoided if clear legislation was already in place, ensuring all food sold to the public is labelled with every ingredient. Instead, Natasha was ‘reassured’ by the lack of any allergen information on the product when she chose it.

Under the UK’s current Food Regulations 2014, you don’t have to individually label freshly made, non pre-packaged food. This meant Pret a Manger didn’t have to list all ingredients on food product labels. Instead, they had signs near displays prompting consumers to raise any allergen queries with staff. However, this will change with the introduction of Natasha’s Law. From October 2021, food pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) must list all ingredients on food labels of individual products.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced the law in a move to protect England’s 2 million food allergy sufferers. When it comes into force, Natasha’s Law will give consumers greater transparency about what they are eating. This is something that will benefit everyone, and, most importantly, help to prevent potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.

How Will Natasha’s Law Affect My Business?

Natasha’s Law will only apply in England – it will not be a legal requirement in the rest of the UK. However, it’s likely that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will follow suit once the impact of the legislation is clear. This does not mean that you can disregard allergens if you run a food business in one of these countries. It is always strongly recommended that you are transparent about allergens and what you are putting into your products. If you rely solely on verbal information, there is always the possibility of this being incorrect or of customers not asking and assuming the food is safe. Having all ingredients clearly listed is just one way that we can provide more reassurance to those with allergies.

Cafés & Delis

Until October 2021, you are not legally required to label ingredients on pre-packed food made on-site. Typically, this applies to cafés and delis, where food is produced at the same premises and usually on the same day. Example products include ready-made salads or sandwiches. Currently, cafés and delis tend to display signs prompting customers to ask a member of staff about allergens. However, if you give wrong information, this could cause a customer to experience a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Under Natasha’s Law, you must list all ingredients on individual packaging of products that are considered pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS). If you sell PPDS food, then you must ensure you have implemented the new regulations by the deadline. You should have plenty of time with the two-year transition period intended for businesses to make the necessary changes.

Restaurants

Restaurants will not be affected by Natasha’s Law and the changes it will bring to the listing of ingredients. However, you must make allergen information available, whether that be via the menu or verbally if the customer asks.

Takeaways

Takeaways come under the same category as restaurants, as they sell ‘non-prepacked (loose) foods’. This means you can give allergen information either in writing or verbally. Likewise, takeaways will not be affected by Natasha’s Law. However, unlike restaurants, takeaway meals are considered to be ‘distance selling’. This means that allergen information must be available to the customer both at the point of purchase and point of delivery. This information must be in a written document that is kept at the takeaway premises, as well as available in written form for the consumer if they request it. To make your takeaway business stand out from your competitors, you could clearly list the allergens in each dish on your menu or have a separate menu doing so.

How Should I Prepare for Natasha’s Law?

You have until Natasha’s Law comes into force in October 2021 to implement all the required changes. This two-year transition period should give you plenty of time to arrange how you are going to label all products with a full ingredients list. It is recommended that you try and do so as soon as possible. If you run a small deli or café you may feel you lack the staff, time or technology to make the changes. To make things simpler, we recommend the following ways of preparing:

Ensure your staff have up to date allergen awareness training and understand the importance of taking allergens seriously.

The consequences of mislabelling food can be as severe as death by anaphylaxis, as was the case for Natasha. Staff must understand why having an awareness of allergens is necessary and what they must do to keep consumers safe. This includes knowing where to find the correct, up-to-date ingredients list of products and to share this information with customers when requested.

Have a system in place for quickly responding to ingredient changes.

As soon as a recipe changes, you need to alter the labelling process to match this. For example, if a soup recipe changes to contain celery, you need to update the ingredients label as soon as the product goes on sale. You should also make it clear that the recipe has changed, such as in writing on the product label. Some customers may have previously checked that celery wasn’t an ingredient and bought the soup, so may not check the ingredients again.

Keep your staff informed.

If you change the ingredients in a product, you must inform staff of this as soon as it happens. This updated information should be stored somewhere that all colleagues have easy access to. If a customer then has a query, they can easily refer to the product information.

Investigate what technology would be suitable for your business.

This is dependent on the size of your business and whether you can access certain technology. One way to prevent mistakes is to link your label printer to an online database of what ingredients every product contains. Then, if an allergen is introduced to a product, you can easily input this data and be reassured that your labels are correct.

Clearly signpost allergen information.

Although you will have to include a list of all ingredients on products, this shouldn’t mean you take down allergen signs. Customers are likely to still have allergen or ingredient queries, and showing you are clued up and willing to discuss them can be incredibly reassuring.

Although Natasha’s Law isn’t enforced until October 2021, it’s recommended that you start making the required changes now. Providing clear ingredient and allergen information shows you are committed to making the experience of eating out as reassuring as possible. By establishing your business as one that understands the risks allergens pose, consumers will trust you and, as a result, your company is bound to flourish.

Speak to our expert Food Safety and Food Labelling Specialists here at SCS Food Labelling Services for further advice about Natasha’s Law and practical Food Safety solutions for your business.

Food labelling changes after Brexit

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DEFRA have issued advice for food producers, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers on the changes to food labels if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The rules for what you must show on food labels will change for some food and drink products if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019. Some of the new rules will come into effect from exit day. For others, you’ll have longer to update your food labels. These proposals are subject to agreement with devolved administrations and Parliamentary process.

The UK government is aiming wherever possible to allow a transition period for labelling changes in relation to goods produced or imported and placed on the UK market after exit day.

Wherever a transition period is not possible, DEFRA will encourage pragmatic enforcement within the UK.

If you export food products to the EU

The UK has no control over how food labelling changes will be enforced outside the UK. EU and other non-EU countries may require the food labelling changes are made sooner than 29 March 2019 to export to their markets. You should get advice from your EU importing contact on the EU’s labelling requirements.

Changes from 29 March 2019

You must make certain changes by this date if your UK food product is placed on the UK or EU market after the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019.

The UK government is aiming to allow a transition period by encouraging pragmatic enforcement for these labelling changes in relation to goods produced or imported and placed on the UK market after exit day.

EU and other non-EU countries may require wholly accurate labelling for access to their markets. You should get advice from your EU importing contact on the EU’s labelling requirements.

Country of origin labels

It will be inaccurate to label UK food as origin ‘EU’. For the UK market, you should display additional information online and on signage in shops to help clarify the origin of the food. For the EU market UK food should not be labelled as origin ‘EU’.

You must not use the EU organic logo on any UK organic products, unless the UK and EU reach an equivalency arrangement – where both still recognise each other’s standards – before exit day.

You can continue to use your approved UK organic control body logo if you qualified to use it before Brexit.

The EU organic logo must not appear on UK organic goods. If the UK is able to achieve equivalence with the EU before the UK leaves on the 29 March, then UK organic goods can enter the EU and can continue to use the logo.

If the UK does not achieve recognition from the EU, the EU market will be closed to UK organic certified produce from 29 March.

EU emblem

You must not use the EU emblem on goods produced in the UK unless you have been authorised by the EU to do so.

Pre-packaged food and caseins sold in the EU

If you’re exporting food to the EU, you must include an EU address for the food business operator (FBO) or EU importer on your packaging or food label.

Changes by 31 December 2020

You must make certain changes by this date if your UK food product is placed on the UK or EU market after 29 March 2019.

There will be a transition period to December 2020 for labelling changes in relation to goods produced or imported and placed on the UK market after exit day.

EU and non-EU countries may require wholly accurate labelling for access to their markets. You should get advice from your EU importing contact on the EU’s labelling requirements.

EU health and identification marks

If you export UK products of animal origin (POAO) to the EU, you must replace the EU oval health and identification marks with new UK health and identification marks (to be released).

You can continue to use the EU oval health and identification mark on POAO from and sold in the UK until 31 December 2020.

The new UK health and identification marks for POAO will ensure that UK products continue to display an appropriate label that clearly shows the product has been subject to the strict health and welfare checks that will continue after the UK leaves the EU. The UK government is talking to countries about new marks and will update this guidance if there is a change you need to make.

There will be a 21-month transition period that will allow POAOs, produced and sold in the UK, that carry the oval identification mark, to display the EC identification mark.

Pre-packaged food and caseins sold in the UK

You must include a UK address for the food business operator (FBO) on pre-packaged food sold in the UK. If the FBO is not in the UK, include the address of your importer bringing the food into the UK.

Country of origin labels

You can continue to label all food with the specific country or countries of origin. You can label most foods as EU origin if it’s from a member state. Food produced in the UK cannot be labelled as EU origin. The following foods must no longer refer to the EU in its origin:

Minced meat

For minced meat (excluding beef and veal) made, for example, with meat from the UK and EU the origin would be labelled “UK and non-UK”.

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables

For mixes of UK fruit and vegetables, you must replace any references to the EU with UK on the label. For example, “a mix of EU and non-EU origin” changes to “a mix of UK and non-UK origin”.

If you’re part of the Approved Trader Scheme, you must remove the EU flag from your UK food labels. You can use the replacement UK label instead.

Blended honeys and olive oil

If your honey or olive oil is a blend from different countries, you must list each country of origin on the label, or state “blend of [honeys/olive oils] from more than one country” (or similar wording) on the label.

Beef and veal

If the animal your beef or veal came from was born, reared or slaughtered outside of the UK and EU, your label must state “Origin: non-UK”.

For beef from live animals imported to the UK where you do not know the origin country of the animal, you should replace “live import into the EC” with “beef from a live import into the UK” on the label.

Eggs

If you import eggs that are not produced under farming methods that meet UK standards from non-EU countries, you should mark them as “Non-UK standard” rather than “Non-EC standard”.

If you produce a GI-protected food or drink product (except wine or spirits), you must use the relevant UK logo (to be released) on any products for sale in the UK. If you produce GI-protected wine or spirits, the logo use is optional.

‘We want to ensure labels are clearer’: UK mulls tougher allergy labelling regulations

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The UK government is looking at how “tougher labelling laws” can protect allergy sufferers and close loopholes in labelling requirements.

Regulators want to overhaul allergen labelling regulations with the aim of giving consumers more information on what is in the food they buy. An estimated two million people in the UK suffer from food allergies and the government said it wanted to provide these people with greater confidence that the food they are eating is safe.

Under current rules, food prepared on the premise where it is sold is not required to display allergen information on pack. When a food business sells prepacked food for direct sale the same regulations apply as to non-prepacked food under the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation No. 1169/2011, commonly known as EU FIR 2014. This means food businesses preparing their products freshly on site are exempted from the obligation of labelling them with a list of ingredients.

At the moment, for food prepared and sold at the same site information on allergens is required to be verbally given by the food business if asked by the consumer.

The risks associated with this policy were highlighted by the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, a teenager who suffered an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette in July 2016. The coroner who presided over her inquest concluded that the current legislation is not adequate and requested a review.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove launched a consultation on proposed changes earlier this week.

“We want to ensure that labels are clearer and that the rules for businesses are more consistent – so that allergy sufferers in this country can have confidence in the safety of their food,” he said.

Paying tribute to the Ednan-Laperouse family, Gove acknowledged that “many businesses” are making changes to their allergen labelling independently. He urged them to continue to make progress on this issue while the consultation process is underway.

Four options on the table

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) outlined four proposals to update the system. These range from mandating full ingredient list labelling, to allergen-only labelling on food packaging, ‘ask the staff’ labels with supporting information available in writing and “promoting best practice ” around communicating allergen labelling.

Food businesses and allergy sufferers have been invited to have their say on the four options put forward.

“It’s essential for those of us with a food allergy or intolerance to know that we can trust the food we eat. Accurate and reliable labelling is vital, and this consultation is firmly aimed at improving the confidence we have in it,” Food Standards Agency Chairman Heather Hancock said.

“In recent years choice, trust and availability has really improved for people with food allergy. We want those improvements to continue, so it’s important that we hear from everyone affected, as part of this consultation.”

‘Do more than the bare minimum’

The consultation has been welcomed by organisations representing allergy sufferers, including Allergy UK and the Anaphylaxis Campaign.

In a statement, the Anaphylaxis Campaign said it hoped both allergy sufferers and food businesses would participate in the consultation, stressing the need to find a workable solution for all stakeholders.

“The Anaphylaxis Campaign believes that food allergic individuals must be able to make informed decisions and to assess risk and self manage their condition when eating out. We welcome the government’s consultation as a way of understanding the views of all stakeholders and arriving at the best approach for all stakeholders and, in particular, those who suffer with food allergies. We hope all food business that sell food pre-packed for direct sale engage with this consultation to ensure that feasibility across all business sizes is
taken into consideration,” the organisation said.

Meanwhile Carla Jones, the CEO of Allergy UK, called on businesses to do more to ensure allergen information is clearly communicated. “At Allergy UK we believe that whilst those living with allergies must be vigilant on their own behalf, the broader food industry needs to do more than just the bare minimum when it comes to catering for the allergic community,” she stressed.

Updated EFSA ruling for CBD classes supplement ingredient as Novel Food

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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reclassified cannabidiol (CBD) as a Novel Food in a change that may mean CBD and hemp-derived food supplements cannot be legally sold within Europe.

Whilst not an official ruling the recently-added submission to the Agency’s Novel Foods catalogue for the term ‘Cannabinoids’ now states, “…extracts of Cannabis sativa L. and derived products containing cannabinoids are considered novel foods as a history of consumption has not been demonstrated.

“This applies to both the extracts themselves and any products to which they are added as an ingredient (such as hemp seed oil). This also applies to extracts of other plants containing cannabinoids. Synthetically obtained cannabinoids are considered as novel.”

The amendment comes as media reports identified the UK, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands as the countries asking for an update to the catalogue, citing ambiguity concerning regulation of CBD and other hemp-derived products.

Further news reports suggested the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) now want CBD food products removed from commercial sale while the application to permit its use is finalised.

If successful, producers would be unable to sell products for up to 18 months cutting off supply to consumers.

“We are considering the way forward in light of this clarification at EU level,” said the FSA.

“We are meeting with relevant industry representative bodies, local authorities and other stakeholders to clarify how to achieve compliance in the marketplace in a proportionate manner.”

Final opinion in March

EFSA are currently considering a novel food application for CBD for use in food supplements in adults with a daily intake of up to 130 milligrams (mg). A final opinion is expected from March 2019.

If EFSA is successful, the European Commission will draft an implementing act permitting the use of the product within seven months.

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), which only last October were asked by the European Commission to advise on traditional or novel food status of hemp extracts, reiterated its position by saying, “Hemp extracts and tinctures were indeed made and sold in products, which would nowadays be “supplements” up to 80 years ago.

“Other evidence shows the use of hemp green parts (flowers, leaves) in applications such as “hemp-beer” brewing and herbal infusions/tea making.

“Hemp flowers used for the production of beer-like beverages have been recognised as food ingredients by the European commission since 1998.”

The Association went on to request that European Union institutions rapidly adopt a policy strategy that would allow Europe to compete on the world stage that shows increasing competitive approaches from Asia, Canada and the US.

“For all these reasons EIHA requests the European Commission to recognise hemp extracts with naturally occurring CBD levels as traditional in food.”

WHO opinion

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report published back in June 2018 quoted WHO experts, who stated CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.

Dr Sarah Brewer, medical nutritionist and health journalist believed the new classification by EFSA was for regulatory/technicality reasons and not for safety reasons.

“Given that there is some uncertainty on the future free availability of CBD supplement, I’d recommend that people who find it beneficial for well-being continue as previously by ordering from a trusted supplier and continuing to take their CBD Oil.”

“With all the change taking place there is still a great deal of misunderstanding and misleading information about CBD Oil on the market.

Approved Novel Food Status

Approved Novel Food Status.

Rollo de Sausmarez, director of new product marketing and development at Healthspan, a UK-based mailorder supplier of vitamins, minerals and health supplements said the next steps were to get CBD an Approved Novel Food Status.

“Many things have been deemed safe by passing a safety assessment under the Novel Food Regulation – e.g. Chia seeds, Krill Oil, Vitamin K,” he said.

“This process takes about a year, and CBD manufacturers and brands will be pursuing this approach. All over Europe the local food safety authorities will be considering their approach, in each member state and in time will publish their stance.

“Healthspan will continue to work with relevant bodies such as EFSA, FSA and the CTA (Cannabis Trade Association).”

The EU novel foods legislation refers to any food or ingredient not in widespread use prior to 1997 now needs to undergo an authorisation procedure that demonstrates evidence of its widespread use before 1997 and/or that it is safe for consumption.

Each country has a legal right to have changes made to the Novel Food Register if they can get a majority to agree. In this case, the five initial petitioners, Germany, Italy, France, UK and The Netherlands managed to gain support from 17 member states.


UAE bans formula ads in attempt to promote breastfeeding

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The UAE Cabinet has implemented a blanket ban on the advertising of infant formula and other infant nutrition products, including follow-up formula and complementary foods.

The marketing and advertising of other formula-related products,such as feeding bottles and teats, have also been banned.

This regulatory update is based on a law that was passed in April last year, whereby a resolution to regulate the marketing of breastmilk substitutes was adopted.

The purpose of the law was to promote exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, while ensuring that children who needed formula consumed only safe and natural breastmilk substitutes.

Manufacturers were also required to provide approved identification cards containing relevant information on optimal consumption.

The law was implemented in accordance with the International Marketing Code of Breastfeeding, as well as WHO and UNICEF recommendations that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life, after which complementary foods can be introduced as a supplement to breastfeeding until children are two years of age or older.

These recommendations are in turn based on the idea that breastmilk is superior to other forms of nutrition when it comes to healthy growth and development and disease prevention in infants and young children.

Dr Esmat Mohd Al Qassim, head of the primary healthcare department’s mother and child health section (under the Ministry of Health and Prevention), said the main function of the new law was to help protect, promote and support breastfeeding by regulating the marketing and advertising of nutrition products for infants and young children (birth to two years old).

The promotion of such products, she added, had to be prohibited as it would affect breastfeeding and “undermine mothers’ confidence”.

In addition to the advertising ban, the UAE government also aims to promote breastfeeding by encouraging hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres to be ‘baby-friendly’, in line with UNICEF and WHO guidelines.

This includes healthcare professionals attending the WHO-UNICEF’s 20-hour breastfeeding promotion course and 90-hour lactation course, as well as familiarising themselves with official breastfeeding assessment guidelines.

Furthermore, the UAE’s annual International Breastfeeding Week (August 1 to 7) and National Breastfeeding Week (November 8 to 14) seeks to further raise awareness and educate mothers.

Wider support network

Apart from the aforementioned branches of government promotion of breastfeeding in the UAE, a wider network has also been established to ensure mothers receive adequate support when it comes to infant nutrition.

The Breastfeeding Friends (BFF) Society in Sharjah is one such voluntary organisation.

Breastfeeding counsellor and supervisor Badriyyah Riad told local media that the added nutrients in certain formula products were “not research-based” , and that “false advertising” was involved.

She also raised concerns about doctors recommending formula to parents as a first choice for their children, adding that company representatives should not be allowed to offer samples and gifts to parents or doctors.

BFF reports any observation of suspicious activity in this regard to the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), and emphasises the importance of enforcement to keep International Code violations at bay.

However, it also recognises that mothers need sufficient support in order to minimise their chances of choosing formula over breastfeeding. Riad said that for mothers who claim to lack adequate milk to breastfeed, BFF teaches them that it is “a matter of simple adjustments” .

BFF also provides a 40-hour training course for peer counsellors on common problems faced by mothers, and prepares mothers for their post-natal return to work by educating them on their maternity leave entitlements, and how to incorporate breastfeeding into their lifestyle.

At the same time, the organisation’s volunteers visit new mothers in the hospital during the Breastfeeding Weeks, offer hotline support 10 hours a day in three languages — Arabic, English and Urdu — and are all enrolled in peer counsellor training to learn how best to manage mothers’ concerns.

Salma Haroun — who has been volunteering with BFF since 2005 — said, “We also educate our volunteers on how to recognise when a formula company has violated any law on marketing and advertising their products.”

Formulating solutions for the individual

She added that despite the strict regulations on formula advertising, BFF acknowledged the necessity of formula in certain situations.

“We do understand there are situations where mothers need some kind of supplementation (to feed their children), but the laws are important so that mothers who have no problem breastfeeding are not offered formula.

“When we meet mothers who have medical or hormonal issues that prevent them from breastfeeding properly, we do our best to assist them in providing for their babies using mixed feeding. But before that, we offer help in stimulating breastmilk production, and encourage mothers to visit our lactation clinic in Sharjah.”

Outside of Sharjah and throughout the UAE, BFF boasts an extensive network of volunteers who are able to refer mothers to suitable healthcare professionals in their respective areas of residence.

“We respect every mother’s decision, but before she makes the final conclusion on how best to feed her child, we want to be sure we have given her all the information and help she needs.

“Infant nutrition products from any company that does not engage in Code violations should be safe to consume, but again, we would not recommend this approach to all mothers — we prefer to assess them individually and make such recommendations on a case-by-case basis.”


Food firms slammed for mislabelled bread products in Norway: ‘This is a clear breach of trust’

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The Norwegian Consumer Council has criticised food manufacturers after eight out of ten bread products sold in Norway were found to be mislabelled, including errors in ingredients and allergens lists.

A report conducted last year by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has found that 85% of bread products in Norway displayed errors or defects in their labelling.

According to the 2018 study (available here in Norwegian), 209 bread products were examined. These include baked and half-baked bread, baguettes, crisp breads, and hamburger buns.

The majority of errors appeared in products’ ingredients lists, accounting for approximately 50% of the mistakes, followed by allergen labelling and nutritional labelling – both around 40% – and highlighted ingredients, which accounted for approximately 20% of the defects.

While none of the labelling errors presented health hazards to consumers, the Norwegian Consumer Council said consumers have a right to feel confident they know what they are eating.

“This is a clear breach of trust against consumers…The result is discouraging and testifies to [this] culture in the bread industry, both nationally and internationally,” said spokesperson Gunstein Instefjord in a statement.

“The Consumer Council considers deficiencies in allergen labelling and misleading labelling…as the most serious of the cases. For those who have food allergies or food intolerances, this is particularly important,” he added.

‘It is fully the responsibility of the manufacturers’

According to the Federation of Norwegian Bakers and Confectioners, industry needs to take responsibility. The membership organisation told FoodNavigator it is liaising with the government to address these issues.

“The manufacturers have to adopt more competence on the issue and to take action to improve the labelling…It is fully the responsibility of the manufacturers to do this right,” said a spokesperson for the Federation.

“The Norwegian Federation of Bakers and Confectioners has met with the Food Safety Authority, and we will cooperate on giving courses on the matter to the industry. We have already started working on this,” the spokesperson continued.

The Norwegian Consumer Council agreed that manufacturers need to address food safety and labelling protocol.

“Bread is a crucial part of the daily diet among most Norwegians, and…food manufacturers in Norway are obliged to follow the EU regulation of food information to consumers,” said Instefjord.

“Hence, it is their responsibility that they follow the rules when packaging is designed and developed,” he continued.

Should Norway name and shame?

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s report investigated both Norwegian and imported products, but did not published brands nor product names.

“This is information that we think should have been included,” stated the Norwegian Consumer Council’s Instefjord.

Beyond singling out manufacturers, the Council acknowledged the importance of testing labels within the food industry.

“This report demonstrates how important these kinds of labelling checks are and we think the manufactures – not only bakeries but all food manufacturers – will be reminded of how important correct and honest labelling is,” said Instefjord.

‘Consumers have been mislead’: BEUC insists nutrient profiles 10 years overdue

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The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has again called on the European Commission to stop the food industry from making misleading health claims through the introduction of nutrient profiles. According to the BEUC, the move is a decade overdue.

According to the BEUC, it is common for foods and drinks “loaded with sugar, salt or fat ” to carry nutrition claims such as “high in fibre” or “B vitamins” . Those messages give a healthy halo to unhealthy products and mislead consumers as to the actual nutritional content of the food they buy, the BEUC insisted.

The BEUC, which counts consumer watchdogs from 32 different countries among its members, said that the long-overdue introduction of nutrient profiles would restrict the use of claims including “source of calcium” or “boosts the immune system ” for foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS).

Nutrient profiles would set maximum levels for nutrients-of-concern, blocking HFSS products from making health claims.

Nutrient profiles ‘ten years late’

The BEUC insisted that the EC has failed to act, despite being “required by law ” to publish nutrient profiles.

The organisation suggested that Regulation No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on food, adopted in 2006, necessitated the publication of nutrient profiles by 2009. Tomorrow (19 January) will mark ten years since the EC missed this deadline, the BEUC claimed.

The Commission has instead initiated an evaluation (REFIT) of the Claims Regulation, which will examine whether the profiles are still needed.

“The EU Commission has regrettably turned a deaf ear to our longstanding calls. Consumers have been misled by countless claims, which disguise unhealthy foods as healthy options. The Commission could have stopped the tricks 10 years ago, had it fulfilled its duties,” Monique Goyens, director general of BEUC, said.

“This delay is all the more unacceptable as weight issues are soaring in Europe. More than half of Europeans are overweight and run higher risks to develop diseases such as diabetes. Because appealing messages can strongly influence consumers when they buy foods or drinks, only healthy products deserve a claim.”

EC stresses need for ‘fully informed’ strategy

Responding, a spokesperson for the European Commission noted that the REFIT evaluation of the legislation is still “ongoing”.

The EC spokesperson stressed the need to engage with all stakeholders to develop a “fully informed” policy.

“This evaluation will allow the Commission to consider a fully informed orientation strategy on the issue of nutrient profiles. The REFIT evaluation is only one step in the process. Stakeholders will have further opportunities to be involved in future policy developments regarding nutrient profiles.”

The BEUC, however, remained impatient for action. “Nutrient profiles need to be adopted urgently to enable consumers to make healthier choices. Consumer organisations are waiting for the EU Commission to publish a report on this issue before it leaves office at the time of the European elections,” Goyens said.