December 2014 still seems a long way off for some. However, for the foodstuffs industry that date is approaching alarmingly fast. From that time onwards, new rules will apply for labelling foodstuffs. At the end of 2011 the European legislature introduced Regulation 1169/2011 containing these new rules. Briefly summarised: labels on foodstuffs must be clearer!
Allergens must be emphasised on the label, for example by using a different colour or font or by underlining the allergens so that they are clearly recognisable to the consumer. The source of vegetable oils and fats must also be stated and often the country of origin of the product as well. All the obligatory information on the label must be at least 1.2 mm font size.
Obviously various transitional measures apply. Foodstuffs put onto the market before 13 December 2014 that do not yet meet the rules of the regulation may be sold until stock runs out. However, the new rules are already casting their shadow. The industry has long procedures in place to amend labels.
Kim Braber
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office Emerald House Jozef Israëlskade 48-G Amsterdam, the Netherlands t +31 (0)20 - 305 3066 www.hoogenhaak.nl |
post PO Box 76780 1070 KB Amsterdam e info@hoogenhaak.nl f +31 (0)20 - 305 3069 chamber of commerce 34314579 |
December 2014 still seems a long way off for some. However, for the foodstuffs industry that date is approaching alarmingly fast. From that time onwards, new rules will apply for labelling foodstuffs. At the end of 2011 the European legislature introduced Regulation 1169/2011 containing these new rules. Briefly summarised: labels on foodstuffs must be clearer!
Allergens must be emphasised on the label, for example by using a different colour or font or by underlining the allergens so that they are clearly recognisable to the consumer. The source of vegetable oils and fats must also be stated and often the country of origin of the product as well. All the obligatory information on the label must be at least 1.2 mm font size.
Obviously various transitional measures apply. Foodstuffs put onto the market before 13 December 2014 that do not yet meet the rules of the regulation may be sold until stock runs out. However, the new rules are already casting their shadow. The industry has long procedures in place to amend labels.
Kim Braber