Labelling – the challenges facing the UK food and

drink industry

Flora A McLeanDirector

Scottish Food and Drink Federation

Current Legislation

Labelling Directive 79/112/EC (November 1979)

Directive 2000/13

Functional labelling:

“…all the essential information as regards the composition of the product, the manufacturer, methods of storage and preparation, etc.”

“Functional” View of LabellingWhat is the product? What does it contain?How much is there?How should I store it and for how long should I keep it? How should I prepare it?

ChallengeLot MarkingNutrition LabellingSweetenersPackaging gasesFoodstuffs for particular nutritional uses (4 Directives)Novel Foods (2 Regulations)GM labellingAdditives and flavourings (7 Directives - some for the additive manufacturers)Weights and Measures ( 6 Directives)Organic production

Review of EU LegislationReviewing general food labellingOutcome of an evaluation of labelling concluded in 2004Initial stakeholder consultation is expected soonRegulatory proposals late in 2006Modernisation and simplification of the current legislation

Challenge

Provide clear labels Complete and precise information?

Further on-label information

Nature and origin

Full names of "E number" additives

Animal welfare indications

Pesticide use

Descriptions of processes

Challenge

InformationEver more, but more sophisticatedBasics still easy to find and to read on the label?

The ChallengesDeliver all the essential information as regards the composition of the product, the manufacturer, methods of storage and domestic preparation

Provide this via clear labels and yet give complete and precise information

Satisfy not only calls for ever more, but more sophisticated, information, again, while keeping basic information easy to find and to read on the label: all while complying with guidance

FDF’s Starting PositionPhysical limits for on-label information

Essential and important to the majority of consumers

Other means of communicating must be considered

Consumer’s own responsibility

Signposting = Traffic lightsNarrow ‘picture’ of that foodDoes not help educate consumersMisleading to the consumer

Signposting

A red traffic-light means

‘STOP’

Signposting

“…..the proliferation of national voluntary labelling schemes and marks may hinder the development of the internal market, if a national mark becomes essential in practice to access a market”.

Source: Markus Kyprianou

Legal Requirements

On-label information must be: clearly visiblelegible and not misleading

In addition

Presented in a simple and understandable way

Meaningful to consumers

Not confusing

Not an increase:

A Reduction!

Better Regulation Task Force

“The current DG Sanco review should propose that no further mandatory label requirements should be issued, unless it is clear how extra space on the label is to be created.”

Source: Better Regulation Task Force Report December 2004

Challenge

The branding challenge:Product differentiationMore space to statutory information

Communication is Key

Customer Care Lines

Product availability

Recipe recommendations

Specialist product ranges

Customer Care Lines

Allergy and intolerance

Nutrition information for special diets

Cooking and storage options

Shelf life beyond “best before”

Aims of foodfitness• Launched in 1996• Presents food manufacturers’ active role in helping

tackle obesity and promote health • Promotes healthy eating and increased moderate

physical activity• Inform consumers and opinion formers of healthy

lifestyle messages • Build partnerships to extend the programme

FOODFITNESS• Aim for 5 fruit and veg a day

• Base meals on starchy foods

• Check out more lower fat choices

• Be active in your daily life

• Take pleasure in active leisure

A Guide to Nutrition Labelling

Going Forward

“…..Consider the needs of all stakeholders carefully and to understand the opportunities and challenges from new technologies and consumption patterns”.

Source: Markus Kyprianou

Full nutritional information as defined in current EU legislation even where this is not legally necessary Salt equivalence as well as the legally required sodium information Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) to provide a simple "ready reckoner"