Brussels, 02/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 2 February, the European Parliament blocked changes to nutrition labelling that would have allowed manufacturers to claim “x% less sugar/salt/fat” on foodstuffs for sale to consumers (see EUROPE 10543). The plenary session adopted a resolution which allowed it to apply its veto by qualified majority (393 votes to 161, with 21 abstentions). MEPs took the view that permitting such claims to be made (through inclusion in the annex to Regulation 1924/2006) could not only have confused or misled consumers but also provided a disincentive for companies to reformulate their products with substantially lower sugar, salt and fat content. Chairman of the environment, public health and food safety committee Matthias Groote was pleased that “the European Parliament has defended the interests of health-conscious consumers, who need to be able to make clear comparisons when shopping for food”. BEUC, the European Consumers' Organisation, also welcomed the EP veto. Its Director General Monique Goyens said that consumers should not be faced with any new nutritional claims, in particular if they are false, which might mislead them when they make their purchases when they are trying to eat healthily. (AN/transl.rt)