Veterinarski glasnik 2017 Volume 71, Issue 1, Pages: 16-23
https://doi.org/10.2298/VETGL170214001H
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Labelling of food: A challenge for many
Henderikx Frans (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Division Consumer & Safety)
Background: In food marketing, there is a trend towards artisanal,
traditional “honest” food, and simultaneously to good looking, long lasting,
multi-purpose food with a clean label. In addition, marketeers like to
upgrade the image of the food, including the label, using various digital
techniques. This can produce (un)intended non-conformities with the current
food law on labelling, which in this review, refers to Regulation (EU) No
1169/2011 (European Union, 2011). Food and meat labelling have been
subjected to increased regulation in the recent years, sometimes after
scandals (horse-gate, food fraud), sometimes due to wishes of consumer
organisations (nutritional information) and sometimes after the introduction
of new types of ingredients (sweeteners, phytosterols, nanomaterials).
Scope and approach: This review provides information about food labelling.
Some experiences gathered by food inspectorate personnel in practice, with
reference to the literature data, positive aspects, main problems and trends
are discussed. Key findings and conclusion: Food labelling is a complex
requirement, with the general demands written down in the harmonized
regulation (European Union, 2011). Foods sold by e-commerce must also follow
these same regulations. However, many food labels on the market show smaller
and/or bigger deviations from the legal requirements, which should be
appropriately addressed by the food manufacturers or packers, but also by
the competent authorities. Even training of consumers seems to be needed,
since all this information is, in the end, intended for consumers to aptly
utilise.
Keywords: allergens, consumer information, e-commerce, list of ingredients, nutrition declaration, product name