Labelling agreements for sunflower oil shortage

The food industry is facing a shortage of sunflower oil. Sunflower oil in certain foods will have to be (partly) replaced by other vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil and soya oil. Unfortunately, it is not possible to adjust all labels in time. The NVWA temporarily does not handle labels that are not entirely correct due to the shortage of sunflower oil. There have been consultations and agreements with the industry on how to deal with this situation.

Provisional agreements

Short term (now until 1 January 2023)

1. Sunflower oil used as an ingredient without further special mention on the packaging; Consumers are informed about the replacement of the sunflower oil by another vegetable oil via general information.
2. Special mention of sunflower oil such as a claim or a clearly visible image of a sunflower on the packaging; Consumers are informed about the replacement of the sunflower oil by another vegetable oil via general information and information in the vicinity of the product.
3. Introduction of allergens, or palm oil while 'palm free' is written on the product; Consumers are informed about the replacement of the sunflower oil by another vegetable oil through general information and in the vicinity of the product and a clearly visible sticker with the allergen on the front of the product.
4. Products with sunflower oil as primary ingredient with a reference to sunflower oil in the name; Product is removed from the assortment.
5. Products with sunflower (oil)related nutrition/health claims; Consumers are informed about the replacement of the sunflower oil by another vegetable oil via general information and in the vicinity of the product and a clearly visible sticker on the front of the product if the claim is no longer valid.

Medium-long term (from 1 January 2023)

• Labels, in this case the list of ingredients and the nutrition labelling, will have to be adjusted. Currently, Regulation 1169/2011 already provides the possibility to declare the following: vegetable oils 28% (sunflower 15%, linseed 7%, palm 4%, rapeseed 2%) or vegetable oils 28% (sunflower, linseed, palm, rapeseed, in varying proportions). In relation to the current situation, the declaration of the added vegetable oil(s) can be done in the latter way, whereby the specific enumeration mentions all the oils that can be used to replace the sunflower oil.
• In the case of a product with the introduction of allergens, or palm oil while 'palm-free' is stated on the product, the usual method of labelling as described in Regulation 1169/2011 is complied with.

View the letter 'Final agreements on labelling of foodstuffs in case of shortage of sunflower oil' (Dutch only).