EU Labelling on the Menu

EU recommendations for new food information labelling rules have been given a cautious welcome by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead.

Speaking yesterday, on the final day of the Royal Highland Show, Mr Lochhead said: "I am delighted that the Council of the European Union has agreed that the origin of fresh and frozen meat will have to be labelled.

"However, I am disappointed that some items, including milk and milk products, have not immediately been included into this package. If these are not included, this will be a huge missed opportunity, both for consumers and for producers.

"The Scottish Government position on origin labelling is long established, seeking mandatory origin labelling for meat, meat products and dairy products. We have also supported the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) stance to introduce mandatory origin labelling on all whiskies sold within the EU, to protect consumers against cheap imitations.

"Scottish consumers should be given the information they need to make informed choices about the food and drink they buy. Initiatives such as the new NFUS 'Shelf Watch' campaign are a good way of highlighting the importance of Scottish branding which represents premium quality and taste.

"I will continue to press for mandatory origin labelling and encourage all parties to fully consider the advantages this can bring to both business and the consumer."

The Provision of Food Information to Consumer regulations will set out rules on labelling for the food and drink industry relating to origin, health and nutrition, and alcohol labelling.

The European Commission has been negotiating on the EU proposal for a Regulation on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers since 2008. The Council of the European Union recommended new compromise package on food labelling on June 22.

The package will go forward to a plenary vote by the European Parliament on July 5 and Council this Autumn.

The compromise agreement states that:

• Mandatory origin labelling would also be required for fresh (and frozen) meats subject to detailed implementing rules to be proposed by the Commission.
• Where origin claims are made and the ingredients are from another origin, further information on the origin of ingredients would be required to be provided. This provision is also subject to implementing rules.
• Reports assessing the feasibility for extending mandatory origin labelling for other foods such as milk, dairy products, unprocessed foods, single ingredient foods, ingredients making up more than 50 per cent of a product to be provided within three years.
• Report on the feasibility and impact of further origin labelling of meat used as an ingredient to be provided within two years.

In Scotland, the Food Standards Agency leads on the proposed Food Information Regulation (FIR) liaising as appropriate with colleagues in Defra and the Department of Health who represent the UK at an EU level.

Looking to source food and drink in Scotland? Use Scotland Food & Drink's Buyers' Guide.