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."
Nine most counterfeited products
