Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

9.8.2021

The European legislation does not provide for the labelling of pesticide residues in food. However, any information provided to consumers on a voluntary basis must comply with Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011[1], which specifies that food information provided on a voluntary basis shall not be ambiguous or confusing for the consumer and, where appropriate, be based on the relevant scientific data. Moreover, Article 7 provides that food information shall not be misleading as to the characteristics of the food, attributing to the food effects or properties that it does not possess, or suggesting that the food possesses special characteristics when in fact all similar foods possess such characteristics.

Without prejudice to the Commission’s role as guardian of the Treaties, Member States are primarily responsible for the enforcement of the EU legislation, including on food information to consumers. The Commission may take appropriate action, whenever it considers it necessary, and in particular, in the light of the communication ‘EC law: Better results through better application’ (2017/C 18/02) .

• [1] Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, OJ L 304 22.11.2011, p. 18.