Voluntary portion-based food labelling schemes

22.3.2017

Question for written answer E-001937-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Renate Sommer (PPE)

The Commission decided not to oppose a number of Member States that have already introduced or are planning to introduce national colour-coded food labelling schemes, even if such schemes are in breach of the Food Information for Consumers Regulation.

This Commission’s decision has encouraged six leading food companies to develop their own colour-coded front-of-pack food labelling schemes based on self-made portion sizes. These schemes not only run counter to the regulation in question, but tend to mislead consumers and make it much harder for them to compare food in different package sizes.

Furthermore, the creation of increasing numbers of new and varied labelling schemes, be they national or enterprise-based, will lead to legal uncertainty and cause substantial problems for SMEs that do not have the financial background to change their food packages again and again.

Is the Commission planning to take action to counteract this trend in order to protect consumers and the single market?

Is it working on the definition of portion sizes in line with Article 33(5) and Article 36(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011?