Nov 11 2011 --- The long-awaited European Food Information Regulation has been agreed and is expected to be published in the Official Journal by the end of November. The food industry now faces the biggest change to food labelling rules in a generation. With many predicting that the new legislation could cost millions, it is vital businesses understand the changes early in order to plan how to minimise their impact.
 
One key element of change involves nutrition labelling of pre packed foods, with the requirement for a 'mandatory nutrition declaration', comprising energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, protein, sugars and salt to be indicated in the same field of vision per 100g/ml.

Other important changes involve the extension of compulsory country of origin labelling to fresh meat of pork, lamb and poultry and the extension of mandatory allergen labelling to foods sold loose.

The issue of clarity will also be addressed by the new legislation, with the introduction of a minimum font size for all mandatory information.

To help industry understand and implement the new rules, Campden BRI is dedicating its annual, one-day food labelling seminar on Thursday 8 December 2011 to covering the Food Information Regulation.
 
The distinguished panel of expert speakers includes, among others:
 
•     Greg Pearson of McCormick UK Ltd, which owns the Schwartz brand, one of the world’s leading producers of herbs, spices, seasonings and flavourings
•     Stephen Pugh, head of Defra’s labelling team
•     Dr. Bizhan Pourkomailian, Senior Food Safety and Social Accountability Manager at McDonald’s Restaurants
•     David Pickering from Trading Standards
•     Alette Addison from the Department of Health
•     David Leeks, Principal Food Law Adviser at Campden BRI
 
The speakers will explain the legislative changes in detail and outline what they mean for the food industry as a whole.
 
Aimed at food industry professionals involved in any aspect of food labelling, product development, technical management, quality assurance, marketing, regulatory affairs and enforcement, the seminar will assist delegates in facilitating a planned programme of migration towards complying with the new rules. Attendees at the seminar will also have the opportunity to discuss how the proposed changes will affect them and ask questions about the new rules with the expert panel of speakers.
 
John Hammond, Head of Information & Legislation at Campden BRI, said: “The new EU Food Information Regulation has been the subject of extensive debate since early 2008 and the task of simplifying, updating and repackaging the rules on food labelling into one single Regulation across all 27 Member States has proved hugely complex.

“There are likely to be significant costs involved in complying with the new rules and it is therefore vital that food industry professionals fully understand the new food labelling legislation as soon as possible. Ensuring labels are compliant from the outset will prevent potentially costly errors, save unnecessary costs and reduce the risk of enforcement action.”