Brussels, 15/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Three years of discussions on proposals for food labelling reform will not have been in vain. Negotiators from the Parliament, Council and the Commission finally reached a compromise on Tuesday night on the most litigious issues in the draft regulation to help consumers make informed choices about the food they consume (EUROPE 10386). This third trilogue ultimately helped bring the different points of views together on trans fats, meat from slaughtered animals without stunning and the name of the country of origin, as well as labelling for alcoholic drinks.
Trans fats: the EP asked for compulsory labelling of trans fats as part of the nutrition declaration. The Council wanted a voluntary labelling and trans fats. The compromise found within the trilogue provides for submission by the Commission of a report on the presence of trans fatty acids in foods within three years of the entry into force of the new regulation and assessment of the impact of appropriate means which enable consumers to make healthy dietary choices, including the provision of information on trans fats and restrictions on their use. The Commission must accompany its report with a legislative proposal, if appropriate.
Country of origin: the labelling of the country of origin remains compulsory if failure to do so might mislead consumers. Labelling of the country of origin will also be compulsory for fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goats and poultry, subject to implementing rules (in addition to beef which is already subject to compulsory labelling of the country of origin since the BSE crisis). In addition, the Commission must submit, within two years after the entry into force of the new regulation, a report examining the possible extension of compulsory labelling of the country of origin for meat used as an ingredient and in meat preparations. The possible extension of this requirement to further products (milk, milk used as an ingredient, single-ingredient products, ingredients that represent more than 50% of a foodstuff) will be decided on the basis of a report in the three years following entry into force of the regulation.
Meat from animals slaughtered without stunning: compromise was achieved with the addition of a point stipulating mention of the increasing interest of European consumers in the issue of animal welfare and the need to examine provisions on consumer information in this light and ahead of a future EU strategy on animal welfare.
Alcoholic drinks and alcopops: these will be excluded from the nutritional declaration and the list of ingredients, as sought by the Parliament.
Allergens: these will be highlighted in the list of ingredients but will not be the subject of a separate list, as requested by the Parliament.
The agreement still requires agreement from Coreper on 22 June and the political groups at the Parliament in order for it to be formally ratified in the 6 July plenary session and then by the Council, probably after the summer break. (A.N./transl.fl)