Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the European Commission
29.11.2019
In the EU, the provision of food information to consumers is governed by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011[1]. This regulation provides the basis for the assurance of a high level of consumer protection in relation to food information.
It establishes a list of mandatory particulars to be provided on prepacked foods, which includes, among others, the list of ingredients. The reference to the specific Protected designation of origin and Protected geographical indication marks of milk products when used as an ingredient is not required on a mandatory basis.
With regard to non-prepacked foods, only t he information on the presence of substances causing allergies or intolerances is compulsory.
The existing EU rules on ingredients information were considered sufficient to ensure that an average consumer receives correct and complete information regarding the characteristics and composition of the food.
The Commission is promoting European products, including those bearing a designation of origin, through the EU’s promotion policy for agricultural and food products[2] where the bulk of the budget[3] for promotion programmes on the internal market have been allocated on informing consumers about EU quality schemes.
- [1] OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18
- [2] Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on information provision and promotion measures concerning agricultural products implemented in the internal market and in third countries and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 56.
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/info/promotion-eu-farm-products_en#annualworkprogramme