FoodDrinkEurope: FIC rules ‘a step in the right direction’ for consumers

12-Dec-2014 - Last updated on 12-Dec-2014 at 10:42 GMT

Some uncertainties about the regulation still exist, but food companies are committed to providing clear information, FDE says

Industry trade body FoodDrinkEurope has called FIC labelling changes a step in the right direction and has established a website to explain reference intakes, which will replace GDAs (guideline daily amounts).

The regulation comes into force tomorrow, Saturday December 13, across the EU. Label changes required under the new law include a minimum font size and the presence of allergens to be highlighted in the ingredients list, new rules on country of origin labelling, and the use of reference intakes (RIs) instead of GDAs, among others.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction for enhanced consumer information,” said director general of FoodDrinkEurope Mella Frewen in a statement.

“Europe’s food and drink sector has been working hard over the past years to comply with the Regulation in due time. Although some uncertainties still exist as to the interpretation of certain aspects of the new legislation, our members remain committed to providing information in a clear and understandable way to enable consumers to make an informed choice.”

A requirement for nearly all packaged foods to carry a nutrition declaration will only come into force in December 2016, but many companies already provide nutrition information about certain nutrients front-of-pack.

FoodDrinkEurope has established a website to help consumers and food manufacturers understand the use of new RI icons, http://referenceintakes.eu.

The organisation has also issued guidance on the regulation for its members.