13.12.2014

As of 13 December 2014, new EU food labelling (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011) rules, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2011, will ensure that consumers receive clearer, more comprehensive and accurate information on food content, and help them make informed choices about what they eat. Foods and food supplements exported to the markets of the European Union (EU) will have be labeled in full compliance with the new EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.
The top key changes to be aware of:
• All food intended for the final consumer must comply with the information requirements provided by the Regulation, including food delivered by restaurants, cafes, canteens, schools, hospitals and catering enterprises (“mass caterer“)
• Improved legibility of information (minimum font size for mandatory information);
• Allergens shall be emphasised in the list of ingredients (e.g. soy, nuts, gluten, lactose) for prepacked foods (emphasis by font, style or background colour);
• Mandatory allergen information for non-prepacked food, including in restaurants and cafes;
• Requirement of certain nutrition information for majority of prepacked processed foods;
• Mandatory country of origin. Country of origin indication is also mandatory for meat from pig, sheep, goat and poultry;
• List of engineered nanomaterials in the ingredients.
• Information on specific vegetable origin of refined oil and fats;
• Strengthened rules to prevent misleading practices;
• Indication of substitute ingredient for 'Imitation' foods;
• Clear indication of defrosted products.
However, rules relating to mandatory nutrition declaration, including energy value and the amounts of fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt. Nutrition information was voluntary before the Regulation entered into force. It is important to note that rules relating to mandatory nutritional labelling for processed food will only apply from 13 December 2016.
Food business operators have been given three years to ensure a smooth transition towards the new labelling regime for prepacked and non-prepacked foods.