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Parliamentary question - E-004664/2017Parliamentary question
E-004664/2017

Use of vegetable juice concentrate in organic meat products

Question for written answer E-004664-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Martin Häusling (Verts/ALE)

Use of vegetable juice concentrate in organic meat products

In 2015, the Federal Administrative Court ruled inadmissible the use of vegetable juice concentrate for the manufacture of meat and sausage products as an alternative to nitrite curing salt, which has hitherto been used, notwithstanding health concerns. Under the court ruling, vegetable juice concentrate was classified as a prohibited additive. This decision comes as a bitter blow to the interests of consumers, not to mention efforts made by the European institutions to achieve a healthier and more natural lifestyle with regard to food production, for example. Furthermore, the rules concerning the use of vegetable juice in meat products are not uniformly implemented in all EU Member States. In Baden-Württemberg, for example, while this particular procedure is not authorised, a total product ban is only admissible where necessary to protect public health. In view of this: