Mandatory European food choice logo? Not before 2023

The European Commission has asked the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide scientific advice to support the development of a future EU-wide system of mandatory nutrition labeling on packaging. They are also going to inform the EC on the establishment of conditions for the use of nutrition and health claims on foods. The advice is due by March 2022. There will be a public consultation on the draft in late 2021.

According to the action plan for the EU strategy 'from farm to fork', the European Commission intends to propose harmonized mandatory nutrition labeling on the front of packaging by the end of 2022, and the establishment of nutrient profiles to limit the promotion of foods high in, for example, salt, sugars and/or fat.

The European Commission has asked EFSA to provide scientific advice on:

• Nutrients of public health importance for the European population, including non-nutrient components of foods (e.g. energy, dietary fiber);
• Food groups that play an important role in the nutrition of European populations and subgroups; 
• Criteria for selection of nutrients and other non-nutrient components of foods for nutritional profiles.

efsa.europa.eu

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