WRITTEN QUESTION E-0251/02 by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Treatment of fish with water-binding substances to increase their total weight.
Date: 2002-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, consumer information, fish, fish product, food processing, protein products, restriction on competition

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/245

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2002)

The Honourable Member refers to various practices, which she describes as illegal, being carried out in
violation of the various Community instruments.

It is up to the Member State concerned, through its competent national authorities and ultimately the
national courts,
to check that operators established in that State comply with national provisions
implementing the Community measures in question.

With regard to Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996
concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (1), Article 8 provides that
the Commission shall review the operation of the Directive with a view to proposing the necessary
amendments to the Council where appropriate. The task of reviewing the Directive began in 2001. Reports
on the transposition of the Directive in the fifteen Member States are being prepared and a survey has
been carried out among national administrations concerning practical
implementing measures. On the
basis of this work,
the Commission will be able to decide what action to take in respect of the
abovementioned Article.

(1) OJ L 18, 21.1.1997.

(2002/C 147 E/263)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0251/02

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Treatment of fish with water-binding substances to increase their total weight

There have been reports in the German specialist press about a method of processing fish and fish
products which misleads consumers. Products are said to be in use in the Netherlands which bind excess
water, thus artificially increasing the weight of the final product. These substances, known collectively as
‘Tari’, are allegedly used in both fillets and whole fish. The active ingredients are said to be proteins, so that
the European ban on the use of phosphates does not apply. The proteins added are not listed on the label
of the final product, in violation of the relevant legislation.

The consumer suffers because the 5-15 % weight gain, which is reflected in the price of the product, is
entirely lost when the fish is cooked. Furthermore, the consumer is not informed that the substances have
been added.

As well as this, the parts of the industry which do not use these unfair methods are affected by the
competitive disadvantage they suffer.

1.

Is the Commission aware of fish being treated in this way, in the Netherlands or elsewhere?

2. What can be done to prevent this practice, which is prejudicial to the interests of consumers and
honest producers alike?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2002)

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for information regarding the facts raised to by
the Honourable Member. It will inform her of its findings.