Table of Contents
NOS news•today, 8:59 p.m
Consumers are increasingly opposed to false food labels, the European Court of Audit says in a report. According to the Court of Auditors, EU legislation does not provide sufficient protection against unclear and misleading information on food packaging.
“There are hundreds of different schemes, brands and claims that consumers have to decipher,” says Keith Pentus-Rosimannus, a member of the European Court of Auditors.
The rules can even encourage cheating. For example, companies are now allowed to label health claims on products that are high in fat, sugar and/or salt. For example, products with a lot of sugar can be classified as ‘high protein products’ and there can be a number of unverified claims about products with vegetable ingredients.
Allergies
According to the Court of Audit, consumers with allergies or special dietary requirements are limited by their current legislation. As a warning, manufacturers put on labels that there may be traces of nuts or milk in products, but this is often not the case. Food can contain allergens due to ingredients in the product, but this can also be due to cross-contamination.
This can happen, for example, if products with and without allergens are transported in the same truck. To prevent damage claims, some manufacturers claim that their products contain allergenic substances.
This was also noted in the Netherlands by the Ministry of Health. So it was decided that manufacturers, from January 1, 2026 more accurate they must check their products for allergens and change the labels.
Status
The confusion is partly caused by the lack of EU standardization. Countries can use their own systems to identify nutritional values. For example, the Netherlands uses the ‘Nutri-Score’ system, and the Scandinavian countries use the ‘Keyhole’ brand.
There are also too few studies on voluntary claims, such as health claims, and on online food sales. According to the Court, the fines imposed for breaches of EU regulations are not sufficiently deterrent.
In the report, the Court of Auditors recommends that the European Commission tighten the rules by 2027. In particular, the rules for nutritional and health claims and allergens should be more detailed and stricter. The Court of Audit also wants tighter controls and more information campaigns for consumers.
2024-11-25 19:59:00
#Unverified #health #claims #food #allowed
What strategies can be implemented, beyond stricter fines, to effectively deter misleading food labeling practices and ensure greater transparency and accountability within the EU food industry?
## Discussion Questions Based on the NOS Article about Food Labeling
This article raises several concerns about food labeling practices in the EU.
Here are some open-ended questions designed to encourage discussion and explore diverse perspectives:
**Section 1: Consumer Confusion and Misleading Information**
* The article mentions “hundreds of different schemes, brands, and claims” on food packaging. Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of information on food labels? How do you decide which information to trust?
* The EU allows health claims on products high in fat, sugar, or salt. Does this seem deceptive to you? Should there be stricter regulations on what can be claimed as “healthy”?
* The article cites examples like “high protein” products with a lot of sugar. Can you share other instances
of misleading food labeling you’ve encountered?
**Section 2: Allergen Labeling and Cross-Contamination**
* The report highlights the use of “may contain” allergen warnings, even when they might not be necessary. Do you think these warnings are helpful or do they create unnecessary fear and anxiety for people with allergies?
* What suggestions do you have for improving allergen labeling and reducing the risk of cross-contamination? Who should be responsible for implementing these changes?
**Section 3: Lack of Standardization and Enforcement**
* The article mentions the absence of EU standardization for nutritional labeling systems. Do you think a unified system would be beneficial? What would be the pros and cons of such a system?
* The report criticizes the limited number of studies on voluntary health claims and online food sales. Why is this research important, and who should be responsible for conducting it?
* The article suggests stricter fines for companies violating EU regulations. How effective do you think fines are in deterring misleading practices? What other enforcement mechanisms could be used?
**Section 4: Moving Forward**
* The European Commission is recommended to tighten regulations by 2027. What specific changes would you like to see made to food labeling laws?
* What role can consumers play in demanding more transparency and honesty in food labeling?
* Ultimately, what do you think is the most important goal we should strive for regarding food labeling – to protect consumers’ health, provide accurate information, or something else?
By exploring these questions, we can engage in a nuanced discussion about the challenges and potential solutions surrounding food labeling in the EU.
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