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Commission aims to update marketing standards of agri-food products

The European Commission has proposed a revision of existing marketing standards applicable to a number of agri-food products, such as fruit and vegetables, fruit juices and jams, honey, poultry or eggs.

The proposed revisions, according to the Commission, aim to help consumers make more informed choices for a healthier diet and contribute to prevent food waste. Below are some of the proposals.
Eggs: Solar panels may now be used in outdoor areas used in free-range production systems for eggs. This will stimulate greater supply of energy from renewable sources. The marking of eggs would also be done directly at the farm which will improve traceability.
Food waste: For example, so-called ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables (with external defects but still suitable for local/direct consumption) sold locally and directly by producers to consumers would be exempted from complying with marketing standards. Giving these foods value in their ‘fresh’ state could offer consumers more opportunities to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at more affordable prices, and benefit producers active in short supply chains. Certain products affected by natural disasters or other exceptional circumstances may also be sold if safe to consume.
Packaging: Products intended for donation may be exempted from main labelling requirements. This will reduce red tape and labels and, therefore, facilitate operators’ engagements in donations.
Jams and marmalades: The fruit content of jams will be increased from 350g to 450g minimum per kilogramme of finished product. With the increase in fruit content across the board, consumers would be offered a product with less free sugars and more fruits than they currently get. The term ‘marmalade’, authorised until now only for citrus jams, would now be allowed for all jams to introduce the possibility to adjust the name of the product to the most used locally. The Commission is also sending a report to the European Parliament and the Council with a view to adapting new marketing standards for cider and perry, and for the origin labelling of pulses. These products are currently not covered by any marketing standards in the Common Market Organisation Regulation.

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