SGS Provides Updates on First Major Revision of EU Food Labeling Requirements

Hamburg, Germany, October 24, 2014 --(PR.com)-- EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, came into effect in 2011 and by the end of this year, must be applied to all food products sold within the EU (with just two exceptions (1)). It replaces two EC Directives: 2000/13/EC, and 90/496/EEC, modernizes the legislation and takes account of new developments in food testing and information.

Current rules aim to ensure that food labeling is not misleading. Regulation 1169/2011 builds on that objective and takes into account the different ways consumers now interact with products and gather information. The new legislation refers to food information, rather than food labeling. It states that food information means:

“Information concerning a food and made available to the final consumer by means of a label, other accompanying material, or any other means including modern technology tools or verbal communication.”

New EU Food Labeling Requirements in Brief

Food business operators need to ensure that all food products comply with the following requirements:

- Mandatory nutritional information on processed foods
- Mandatory origin labeling of unprocessed meat from pigs, sheep, goats and poultry
- Highlighting of allergens in the list of ingredients
- Better legibility (minimum text sizes)
- Allergen information available for all non-pre-packed foods, including those sold in restaurants and cafes

New Requirements - Which Products Are Included?

The new legislation applies to all food products delivered to the final consumer including those produced and served by catering companies, as well as those marketed on the basis of distance (internet) selling. Under the new legislation non-pre-packed foods must carry a label statement of allergens.

Food business operators involved in distance selling must ensure that before the final product is purchased they have all the information required by Regulation 1169/2011 available for the final consumer.

Additional Requirements on Food Labeling Information

Food information must also be provided for:

- Engineered nanomaterials
- Plant origin of vegetable fats and oils
- A statement with regard to whether the product has been defrosted
- Date of freezing, for frozen meats and fish
- Added water, in meat and fish products
- Formed meat or fish items
- Substitute ingredients, for commonly used ingredients

Food Labeling and Nutritional Statement Exemptions

Though mandatory under Regulation 1169/2011, with effect from 13 December 2016, there are a small number of exemptions to the nutritional statement requirements (Articles 16(4) and 44(1)(b), Annex V) (http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/foodlabelling/docs/qanda_application_reg1169-2011_en.pdf).

Who Is Responsible for Food Labeling Information in the EU?

Food business operators bear the brunt of responsibility for ensuring that all the food information is available and appropriately presented on products. Under the new Regulation, this means the operator whose name or business name, the food is marketed under, or, in the event that they are not established in the EU, the product importer.

Mandatory Food Labeling Information

EU Regulation 1169/2011 requires food and food products to be labeled with at least the following elements:

- The name of the food
- A list of its ingredients
- Any ingredient or processing aid listed in Annex II, or derived from a substance or product listed in Annex II causing allergies or intolerances used in the manufacture or preparation of a food and still present in the finished product, even if in an altered form
- The quantity of certain ingredients or categories of ingredients
- The net quantity of the food
- The date of minimum durability, or ‘use by’ date
- Any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use
- The name or business name, and address of the food business operator
- The country or origin, or place of provenance
- Instructions for use, where it would be difficult to make appropriate use of the food otherwise
- Where a beverage contains more than 1.2% by volume of alcohol, the actual alcoholic strength by volume
- Nutritional declaration (with effect from 13 December 2016)

Reference:

1) Point (l) of Article 9(1) (mandatory nutrition declaration), will apply from 13 December, 2016, and Part B of Annex

About SGS Food Safety Services

SGS is committed to keeping readers informed of regulatory news and developments. Leveraging a global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solutions including analytical testing, audits, certifications, inspections and food label reviews (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Food/Processors-and-Suppliers/Testing-and-Analytical-Services/Food-Label-Reviews-and-Nutritional-Analysis.aspx). SGS continually invests in world class testing capabilities and state-of-the-art technology to help customers reduce risks, and improve food safety and quality.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the SGS experts.

Contact details:

Alexandra Dedeilia
Agricultural Services & Consumer Testing Services
Business Manager
SGS Greece
t: +30 210 5720777 (ext 116)
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.foodsafety.sgs.com

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.