Brussels, 25/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - European winemakers will soon be required to indicate on their labels if their wines contain traces of potential allergens, such as egg and milk, under a draft regulation currently being discussed. Amendment is proposed to Article 51 of Regulation 607/2009 on protected designations of origin and geographical indications, traditional terms, labelling and presentation of certain wine sector products.
Powdered egg or milk is used to “clarify” or “fine” wine and traces may remain. American and Australian wine labels already indicate that there may be traces of allergens, but there is no such requirement in the EU. The new rules will apply from 1 July 2012 when the current derogation for wines expires. The aim is to better inform European consumers of potential allergic risks. The new rules follow on from the recommendations made by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and International Wine Organisation (OIV) and may be put to the vote by EU member states in June. Only wines from grapes of harvest years 2012 and following, and labelled after 30 June 2012 will be subject to the new labelling arrangements. The indications that can be used should, in the case of milk proteins, be “milk”, “casein of milk” or “milk protein”, and in the case of egg proteins, “egg”, “protein of egg”, “product of egg”, “lysozyme of egg” or “egg-albumin”. (LC/transl.rt)