New Mandatory EU Regulations on Nutritional Values Enter Into Force

13 Dec 2016 --- Today (December 13) is the cut off point for food business to adhere to new mandatory EU regulations that require most pre-packed products to provide nutritional information to consumers. The regulation officially takes effect today, however some foods are exempt from the rule, including the manufacture of small quantities of food that are supplied directly by the manufacturers to the consumers or to local retailers for direct supply to the consumer.

From 13 December 2016 the indication of nutritional values on food labels becomes mandatory as Article 9, paragraph 1, letter l of EU Reg. 1169/2011 enters into force. Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC) was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in October 2011, and entered into force on in December 2011.

The Regulation brings general and nutrition labeling together into a single piece of legislation to simplify and consolidate existing labeling provisions and applies to all food products sold in the EU, meaning every company selling on the EU market must comply, even if the company itself is based outside of the European Union.

Claire Lennon, adviser, regulatory affairs, at EAS Strategies gives FoodIngredientsFirst an update on what today’s deadline means.

“There are some final provisions becoming applicable from December 2016 so it is the end of a transition period so to speak. The legislation was published in 2011 and went into force from 2014 and is in full force from 2016 for certain elements that were still under a transitional period - that finishes today, December 13,” she says.

Food businesses have to make sure labels contain nutritional declarations including energy values, the amount of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt. The content of the mandatory nutrition declaration may be supplemented with an indication of the amounts of one or more monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyols, starch, fiber and vitamins or minerals.

“Previously nutritional information was only required where a claim was made on a product or a vitamin or mineral added to a food, but it now becomes mandatory even if no claims are used. In the ‘new’ nutrition declaration, the energy value and all nutrients that are declared must be expressed in absolute amounts per 100g/100ml, of food as sold. The word ‘calories’ is replaced by the word ‘energy’ and the energy value must be provided in kilojoules (kJ) and in kilocalories (kcal),” says a report by EAS Strategies.

“The six mandatory nutrients shall be expressed in grams (g). Fiber is not anymore obligatory in the nutrition declaration, salt will replace sodium, and the seven mandatory particulars have to appear in the following specific order in tabular format (unless space doesn’t permit it): Energy (kJ/kcal) Fat (g) of which saturates (g) Carbohydrate (g) of which sugars (g) Protein (g) Salt (g).”

These seven particulars may be supplemented with an indication of the amounts of one or more of mono-saturates, polyunsaturates, polyols, fiber and/or any vitamins and minerals present in a significant amount, and listed in Annex XIII of the Regulation. Vitamins and minerals have to be declared using the units indicated in Annex XIII, and as a percentage of their nutrient reference values specified in the same Annex per 100g or 100ml. Moreover, the term RDA is replaced by nutrient reference value and will be labeled as a % of Reference Intakes (RI). For nutrients other than vitamins and minerals the use of the term Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) will not be possible anymore (except on front of pack), and will be replaced by Reference Intake (RI), which do not imply a nutritional advice.”

Industry trade body FoodDrinkEurope welcomed the implementation of the new nutrition labelling rules foreseen by the Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers.

In a statement, the group said: “Many European food and drink companies have already started to implement the new rules on a voluntary basis over the past years. Beyond this legal requirement, in an attempt to help consumers in their food choices, many operators have chosen to also provide key information about nutrients and calories per portion on the front-of-pack of their products, through the so-called “Reference Intake” icons (www.ReferenceIntakes.eu), which were originally introduced by the industry in 2005.”

“Europe’s food and drink sector has been working hard over the past years to get ready for the implementation of the new rules in due time, and remains committed to providing clear, accurate and valuable food information to consumers to enable them to make informed choices about their foods. FoodDrinkEurope and its members are constantly reflecting on further ways to provide consumer-friendly nutrition information, including via digital communication means,” the statement concluded.

by Gaynor Selby

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