European Court of Auditors: EU food labeling falls short

Consumers in the European Union risk getting lost in a maze of food labels. A recent report from the European Court of Auditors highlights the confusion caused by the array of claims, logos, labels, and scores, which seem to create more questions than answers. Although labels are intended to guide consumers in making dietary choices, they appear to be fulfilling this role less and less effectively.

A chaotic labeling landscape

Labels provide essential information about nutritional values and product characteristics but are also used as marketing tools. Terms like "healthy," "organic," and "gluten-free" suggest benefits that are not always well-founded. Despite regulations requiring basic information, the Court of Auditors notes gaps in legislation and insufficient enforcement. According to Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, a member of the European Court of Auditors, regulations are lagging behind the rapidly evolving market. This leaves 450 million consumers exposed to potentially misleading information.

Misleading claims and missing definitions

Health and nutrition claims are often made, even on products high in sugar, fat, or salt. For instance, a product with added sugar can still be marketed as "high in protein." Plant-based claims such as "boosts energy" or "improves physical performance" also lack scientific backing. Allergen labeling is similarly inadequate, with vague warnings like "may contain." Vegetarians and vegans face additional challenges, as no EU-wide definition exists for their products.

Lack of harmonization and oversight

In addition to mandatory labeling, there are voluntary systems like Nutri-Score and Keyhole, but the absence of EU-wide harmonization adds to the confusion. Moreover, voluntary claims often fall outside the scope of monitoring. Online sales, which have grown significantly since the pandemic, are almost entirely unregulated. Penalties for violations, according to the Court of Auditors, rarely serve as effective deterrents.

With limited budgets for consumer education and a labyrinth of labels, consumers continue to struggle with their choices. A solution still seems a long way off.

Read the report: "Food labeling in the EU: Consumers may lose their way in the maze of labels" (Dutch only)
Eca.europa.eu