European Commission Proposes to Ban the Addition of Sugar to Fruit Juices

The addition of sugar would be allowed only for nectars and some very specific products covered by the Directive, but the product labelling must make such addition clear.

Sep 24 2010 --- The Commission has adopted a proposal to amend the Fruit Juice Directive (2001/112/EC), including a move to ban the addition of sugar to fruit juices - in line with the Commission policy of reducing added sugars in products and promoting balanced diet.

The addition of sugar would be allowed only for nectars and some very specific products covered by the Directive, but the product labelling must make such addition clear. Another proposed adjustment is to include tomatoes in the list of fruits used for fruit juice production.

Most of the proposed changes are aimed at achieving further alignment with international rules by incorporating several additional elements of Codex Alimentarius standards into EU legislation, whilst also taking account of the Code of Practice of the European Fruit Juice Association.

The Directive lays down rules on the production, composition and labelling of fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption in order to ensure their free movement with the European Union. The proposal will follow the ordinary legislative procedure in the European Parliament and the Council.