Brussels, 17/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - Consumer representatives gave a warm welcome, accompanied by some criticisms, to the Commission's new proposal to introduce more comprehensive food labelling requirements in the interests of consumers, particularly those suffering from food intolerance or allergies to certain ingredients (EUROPE of 7 September, p.8).
In a press release, BEUC (the European Consumers' Organisation) welcomed the introducing of allergen labelling for all food, including sulphites for wine, but indicated that it remains concerned about the various derogations from complete ingredient labelling. BEUC Director Jim Murray said that, "only labelling of all ingredients will ensure that consumers, who suffer from allergic reactions to certain ingredients or from food intolerances, or want to avoid particular ingredients for ethical reasons, will be able to make informed decisions".
Believing that consumers do not currently have sufficient information about ingredients, nutritional content, allergens and food preparation processes, BEUC feels that the new Commission proposal is an important step forward since the "proposal abolishes the so-called 25% rule, and thereby closes an important gap in labelling legislation". It explains that the 25% rule means that "labels on muesli and biscuit packages must list all ingredients. When the biscuit or muesli makes up less than 25% of another product (icecream, yoghurt or puddings) the individual ingredients do not need to be declared, even though they may include common allergens such as nuts, soy or gluten". Satisfied that the Commission is paying this issue the attention it deserves, since the quantity of these types of food products continues to grow, BEUC is concerned that the Commission will propose derogations for food for which Community standards have been agreed. "This could include chocolate, should it make up less than 5% of a product's ingredients. Any allergens present in the chocolate would be labelled, but not the other ingredients that could cause concern. We worry that consumers would in these instances not be well enough informed should they want to avoid a particular ingredient for other than allergenic reasons", noted BEUC.