NORWAY NEWS ANALYSIS THE NORDIC PAGE

The new

rules on labeling of foods will enable a more comprehensive information source

for users. There will be more information about food and its ingredients.

Manufacturers

and retailers now have three years to adapt to the new rules, except for the

requirement of nutritional declaration, in which a five-year transition period

was allocated.

Mandatory nutritional declaration on foods

According

to the new regulations, the producers shall specify the content of energy,

protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars and salt indicated by 100g/ml

and per serving. It will be also voluntary to provide nutritional information

on the front of the packaging.

Higher Prominence and Marking For Origin of

Food Ingredients

All

mandatory labeling will be printed with at least 1.2 mm high letters (small

x-letter). If the package is less than 80 cm2, the letter size is reduced to

0.9 mm. Also it is required to have a noticeable contrast in the labeling.

Another

change in the labeling regulations relates to the printing of the origin of the

products. This will be mandatory for fresh meat (pork, sheep and poultry). The

requirement of origin marking of some fruits, vegetables and honey will be

maintained. The origins of the main ingredient in a food will be also

specified, if the ingredient is not from the country where food is

manufactured.

Other Changes

The use of

collective names in ingredient lists such as "vegetable oil or fat,"

will be specified. From now on, the origin of the ingredient will be given in

detail, such as "palm oil".

Ingredients

that can cause allergy will be highlighted in the labeling with bold or italic

style for increased visibility.

Freezing

date will be indicated on the frozen meat or fish product.

Meat and

fish products that are made up of different pieces of the animals, will be

marked with "complex pieces of fish / meat."