Food Law News - EU - 2009


FSA Interested Parties Letter (CPD 104), 22 September 2009

PARNUTS – Initial discussions on the future of Directive 2009/39/EC, the 'framework' directive for foodstuffs intended for a particular nutritional use (dietetic foods)

At the Commission Working Group of 21 September Member States had their first discussion of the Commission’s options for the revision of Directive 2009/39/EC, the ‘framework’ directive for foodstuffs intended for a particular nutritional use (dietetic foods).

Member States thought the options appropriate and comprehensive and had nothing specific to add to the costs and benefits outlined by the Commission.  Each option was thought a possible course of action, except that to delete all EC ‘Parnuts’ legislation, which was unanimously rejected.  Option C – deleting the framework directive but retaining certain specific legislation, such as that for Infant Formula - seemed to offer answers to most of the problems identified with the framework directive, with fewer costs.  While Member States expressed no preference at this stage, interest coalesced around this option, with different views on which specific legislation should be retained.

Next steps: the Commission will seek to adopt a proposal once the new Commissioners are in place, probably in the New Year.  The Impact Assessment will be published with the proposal.


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