On Thursday 14 June, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented a common methodology allowing national authorities responsible for consumer protection to carry out tests aimed at comparing the composition and characteristics of food products sold with similar packaging in the Union (see EUROPE 12022). This is a major step in the dual quality of food products issue.
The “high-level forum for a better functioning food supply chain” entrusted the JRC , in June 2017, with the task of drawing up the methodology.
All food products sold in the EU must comply with strict safety regulations. Consumers must be informed of the main characteristics including with regard to EU legislation on food labelling, and must not be misled by the packaging.
The trial methodology will help those authorities to verify whether food products are marketed in full compliance with EU legislation. The methodology is based on key principles such as transparency, comparability, the selection of similar samples, and product trials.
Next stages. Laboratories in some member states of the EU will currently apply this methodology as part of a European-wide testing campaign to collect data on the scope of the dual quality issue. The first results should be available by the end of 2018. This exercise should provide practical guidance for authorities investigating misleading practices. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)