EU.- The 27 give the final green light to the new rule so that honey labels specify the country of origin

BRUSELAS, 29 (EUROPA PRESS)

This Monday, the Twenty-seven gave the final green light to the review of honey labeling so that the countries from which it comes and the percentages of at least the four main places of origin are specified.

The law will now be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will come into force 20 days after its publication. The new measures will be applicable throughout the European Union after two years.

This review is part of a wider package known as the ‘breakfast guidelines’, which aims to help consumers make informed and healthier choices about agri-food products such as honey, fruit juices, jams and marmalades.

Since a large part of honey imported from non-EU countries is suspected of being adulterated with sugar and is not detected on the EU market, it will be mandatory to clearly indicate in the same field of vision as the name of the product, the countries where the honey comes from instead of just whether it comes from the EU or not, as is currently the case.

To combat this fraud and better inform consumers, the percentages of honey coming from at least the four main countries of origin must also be indicated and if these do not represent more than half of the total honey, the percentages must be indicated. percentages from all countries.

After carrying out feasibility studies, and to further limit fraud, the European Commission will also propose a unique identification code to be able to trace honey back to beekeepers.

Furthermore, the agreement reached by the Council and Parliament proposed the creation of an EU expert platform to collect data to improve controls, detect adulteration in honey and provide recommendations for an EU traceability system to trace the honey to the producer or importer who collected it.

JUICES, JAMS AND JAMS

With regard to fruit juices, jams and marmalades, the Commission will prepare a report evaluating the mandatory nature of labeling on the country of origin of the fruit used within 36 months following the entry into force of this directive, accompanied by a legislative proposal, if appropriate.

For jams and jams, the general rule will be that at least 450 grams of fruit should be used to produce 1 kilo of jams and marmalades (500 grams for high quality “extra jams”).

For juices, the label “contains only natural sugars” will be permitted and, to meet the growing demand for low-sugar products, it has been agreed that reformulated fruit juices may be labeled as “reduced sugar fruit juices.” if at least 30% of the natural sugars have been removed.

However, producers will not be able to use sweeteners to offset the effect of reduced sugar on the taste, texture and quality of the final product.