Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 4/19/2006

**GAIN Report Number:** E36066

E36066

**EU-25**

**Wine**

**Allergen Labeling on Wine - Authorized Languages**

**2006**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Norval E. Francis, Jr.

U.S. Mission to the EU

**Prepared by:**

Hilde Brans

**Report Highlights:**

The indication of allergenic ingredients on wine labels became mandatory
on November 25, 2005. This report lists which language(s) EU member
states will accept for the purpose of allergen labeling.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Brussels USEU \[BE2\]

\[E3\]

**Allergen Labeling on Wine -- Authorized Languages**

On November 25, 2005, the indication of allergenic ingredients on food
labels became mandatory throughout the EU. The new allergen labeling
rules also apply to beverages containing more than 1.2% by volume of
alcohol. Alcoholic beverages containing sulphur dioxide and sulphites at
concentrations of more than 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/liter must be labeled
"contains sulphites" or "contains sulphur dioxide". Replacing the word
"sulphites" by "SO~2~" or "E220" is not allowed. Products placed on the
market or labeled before November 25, 2005, may be sold while stocks
last.

The table below indicates which language(s) EU member states will accept
for the purpose of allergen labeling. When more than one language is
indicated, at least one of them **must** be used. Together with one of
the authorized languages, any other language **may** be used on the
label. Information concerning authorized languages can be obtained from
the national competent authority. The list of national competent
authorities can be consulted on the European Commission's website at
<http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/markets/wine/labelling_allergens.pdf>.

  ------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
  **Member State**          **Authorized Languages for Allergen
                            Labeling**

  Austria                   German

  Belgium                   Dutch, French, German, English

  Cyprus                    Greek

  Czech Republic            Czech

  Denmark                   Danish, Swedish, Norwegian

  Estonia                   Any EU language

  Finland                   Finnish and Swedish (Swedish can be replaced
                            by Danish or Norwegian)

  France                    French, English

  Germany                   German

  Greece                    Greek

  Hungary                   Hungarian

  Ireland                   English

  Italy                     Italian

  Latvia                    Latvian

  Lithuania                 Lithuanian

  Luxembourg                French, German, Luxembourgish

  Malta                     Maltese, English, Italian

  Poland                    Polish

  Portugal                  Portuguese, English, French, Spanish

  Slovakia                  Slovak

  Slovenia                  Slovenian

  Spain                     Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese

  Sweden                    Swedish, English

  Netherlands               Dutch

  United Kingdom            English
  ------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Translation of the expression     
  "Contains sulphites" in the 20      
  official EU languages**             

  Spanish                             Contiene sulfitos

  Czech                               Obsahuje siřičitany

  Danish                              Indeholder sulfitter

  German                              Enthält sulfite

  Estonian                            Sisaldab sulfitid

  Greek                               Περιέχει θειώση

  English                             Contains sulphites

  French                              Contient sulfites

  Italian                             Contiene solfiti

  Latvian                             Satur sulfiti

  Lithuanian                          Sudétyje yra sulfitai

  Hungarian                           Tartalmaz szulfitok

  Maltese                             Fih sulfiti

  Dutch                               Bevat sulfieten

  Polish                              Zawiera siarczyny

  Portuguese                          Contém sulfitos

  Slovak                              Obsahuje siričitany

  Slovenian                           Vsebuje sulfit

  Finnish                             Sisältää sulfiitteja

  Swedish                             Innehåller sulfiter
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**Visit our website:** our website
**[http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/]{.underline}** provides a broad range
of useful information on EU import rules and food laws and allows easy
access to USEU reports, trade information and other practical
information. More information on labeling can be found at
<http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/label.html>. E-mail:
AgUSEUBrussels@usda.gov

**Related reports from USEU Brussels:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------
  **Report Number**                                            **Title**                            **Date Released**

  E35196                                                       Allergen Labeling -- Implementation  October 2005
                                                               November 25, 2005                    

  E35060                                                       Allergen Labeling -- Temporary       March 2005
                                                               Exemptions                           

  E34093                                                       Allergen Labeling on Wine            November 2004

  E23186                                                       New Allergen Labeling                September 2003

  E36045                                                       EU Food Labeling Review              March 2006

  E35162                                                       Food & Agricultural Import           August 2005
                                                               Regulations & Standards              

  These reports can be accessed through our website                                                 
  <http://useu.usmission.gov/agri> or through the FAS website                                       
  <http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp>.                                        
  ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------