Ending double standards in foodstuffs in the EU

31.8.2017

Question for written answer P-005416-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Emil Radev (PPE) , Andrey Novakov (PPE)

In the last 10 years, the issue of double standards in food products in the various Member States in the European single market has repeatedly been raised.

More particularly, several countries in central and eastern Europe, including Bulgaria, have expressed concerns, borne out by laboratory findings, that differences exist in the ingredients and quality of foodstuffs produced by multinational companies and sold under the same brand name in both the ‘old’ and ‘new’ Member States. Such twin-track treatment by multinationals is unacceptable, especially viewed from the perspective of completing the single market. Consumers throughout the EU are entitled to products of the same quality and content when they bear the same brand name.

1. Does the Commission intend to take legislative action, such as by amending Directive 2005/29/EC or other existing legislation, to prevent double standards in the quality and content of food products sold in the various Member States, and by when?

2. Does it plan to issue guidelines to food-producing multinational companies and to make sure they treat all consumers in the EU equally? When might one expect those guidelines?

3. Will it conduct a comprehensive survey on this issue, covering not only foodstuffs but also cosmetics and cleaning products? When might one expect those guidelines?