A recent study by the Hamburg Consumer Association (Verbraucherzentrale) has found that restaurants are consistently deceiving customers with cheap imitations or ready-made products. According to the study, up to 80 % of all meals served are pre-prepared, consisting of packet soups, ready-made sauces or baking mixtures — in spite of the existence of legislation.

1. Is there a uniform Europe-wide rule for indicating the contents of meals in restaurants, hotels, etc? If not, does the Commission intend to introduce one?

2. Are there EU‑wide investigations or statistics on this matter?

3. We can assume that similar problems are encountered in other Member States apart from Germany. What action does the Commission consider necessary in order to protect citizens from this scam, one which is damaging to health?