FAVV: 50% of Belgian food labels not compliant with EU regulations

During a nationwide campaign from June 11 to 17, 2024, the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) inspected over 1,240 Belgian companies for compliance with food labeling regulations. The action revealed that more than half of the labels did not meet European standards. Pre-packaged food products are required to meet strict requirements, including correct use-by dates and allergen information.

More than half non-compliant

The inspections showed that 53% of the labels were missing one or more mandatory elements. In nearly 20% of cases, this posed a potential risk to consumer health. Common issues included the absence of correct use-by dates or ingredient lists, as well as missing allergen declarations. Additionally, many labels were not written in the correct language, which is crucial for consumer choice.

FAVV responds with warnings and fines

In 36% of the cases, companies received a warning, while 17% resulted in formal legal action. Belgian businesses were instructed to promptly correct the labels. The FAVV emphasizes that proper labeling is a critical aspect of food safety and continues to actively educate companies through resources such as a free online course on labeling. Hélène Bonte, spokesperson for the FAVV, urges Belgian companies to pay even closer attention to providing accurate information in order to safeguard consumer safety.

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