WRITTEN QUESTION E-2924/00 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Food labelling rules.
Date: 2000-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer information, food policy, foodstuff, health policy, labelling

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/131

regulations (1), the German authorities have notified the Commission of their draft legislation on protection
against dangerous dogs. The Commission is in the process of assessing the conformity thereof, with regard
to Articles 28 and 30 of the EC Treaty.

(1) OJ L 204, 21.7.1998.

(2001/C 136 E/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2924/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Food labelling rules

Does the Commission agree that it would be helpful to take steps at EU level to facilitate the provision of
more positive information about food (in parallel with current efforts on food safety) in an effort to help
restore overall consumer confidence in food in Europe, and does the Commission agree that such action
would be fully in line with its May 2000 Communication on Health Strategy in the EU, and that it would
help support Member States(cid:146) efforts to contain the rising costs of health services?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2000)

The Commission indeed agrees that it is helpful to take steps at the Community level to facilitate the
provision of more positive information about food. In that regard, the white paper on food safety (1) states
that the importance of a balanced diet, and its impact on health will be presented to consumers. The
specific actions to address this goal are a communication on an action plan on nutrition policy (action
No 18), and a proposal for Council recommendations on European dietary guidelines (action No 74).

Regarding action no. 18, the white paper states that the Commission is considering the development of a
comprehensive and coherent nutritional policy and will present an action plan for that purpose. The
Commission communication on an action plan on nutrition policy is currently under preparation and is
anticipated to be available in the coming months.

The proposal for Council recommendation on European dietary guidelines is also under preparation. The
aim of
is to provide a scientific consensus on nutrition, diet and healthy lifestyles.
Appropriate communication of the recommendations to consumers will be ensured.

this proposal

Further under paragraph 100 of the white paper on food safety, the Commission announced that it intends
to propose a new amendment which would remove the current possibility not to indicate the components
of compound ingredients, where they form less than 25 % of the final product.

Full ingredient labelling will not only ensure optimal consumer information as to the composition of a
food product but will at the same time ensure the necessary information for those consumers who for
health or ethical reasons have to, or want to, avoid certain ingredients. Furthermore, the Commission
believes it is advisable to assist consumers who have allergies or intolerance as much as possible by giving
it will also
them more comprehensive information about the composition of products. To that end,
propose that certain substances, recognised scientifically as being the source of allergies or intolerance,
should be included in the list of ingredients without any possibility of derogation. This proposal is also at
an advanced stage of preparation within the Commission.

Actions in the area of nutrition are a component part of the public health strategy announced in May
2000 by the Commission.

(1) COM(1999) 719 final.