Brussels, 03/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission is currently preparing a new legislation to improve food labelling provisions currently in force in the European Union. The aim is to guarantee better consumer information on the nutritional content of foodstuffs and on the health properties of food. Beate Geminder, spokesperson for David Byrne, Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, told the press that this new proposal, included in the White Paper 2000 on food safety, was expected for the spring. The text will meet the requirement for exact and reliable information for consumers, based on scientific data concerning food properties, in order to prevent misleading labelling.
A directive (Directive 2000/13) that already exists on labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs) provides for the Council to establish a non-exhaustive list of affirmations to be banned or whose use should be restricted. With its new legislative initiative, the Commission will suggest that the Council authorises only that information which can be verified on the nutritional content of food and of the food's health benefits. David Byrne considers such legislation should be useful for completing the current legislation, as it would allow consumers to make a well-informed choice of foodstuffs that are suitable for their diet and health, and would above all contribute to the fight against obesity.