EU countries want country of origin on food labels

Fourteen EU countries want new European labels for all food items stating the origin of the ingredients. This responds to the growing demand from consumers for locally produced food, and also strengthens the farmer's position in the food chain.

That appeal to the European Commission was made in Brussels on Monday by Germany and Austria, and was supported by Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain. The countries are demanding a bill from the European Commission for a mandatory EU-wide 'label of origin'.

In the EU, fresh fruits and vegetables, unprocessed eggs, packaged pork, mutton, goat meat, poultry, packaged and unpackaged beef must have already declared their origin. For fish and fishery products, the catch area must be indicated. But today it is almost impossible for consumers to tell where the basic ingredients of processed foods come from. 

In addition to the existing European rules, several EU countries also have their own national 'obligations' for the labeling of food products. But so far Member States have not agreed on what should or should not be included. Some also want 'health advice' on it, which others just don't want.

The Netherlands and several other countries have joined the (originally: French) Nutriscore. Italy launched its own label last week because it believes the French label is detrimental to Mediterranean products containing olive oil.

Livestock farmers in Belgium recently launched a new quality mark to promote meat from Belgian White-Blue cattle in the catering industry. To be eligible for the label, the animal must have been born, reared, slaughtered and cut in Belgium. In addition, it must graze in the pasture from spring to autumn and remain in the same herd throughout its life.

The Dutch Consumers' Association argues for stricter rules. For example, it is not yet mandatory to state the origin of processed meat, such as marinated meat. Packaging sometimes contains vague information about where the food is produced.