Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Council Press Release, 21 February 2014
The following is an extract from the Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry, Research and Space) Council meeting:
The Italian delegation, supported by several delegations, drew the attention of the Council to a “traffic light” system for food labelling developed by the United Kingdom which aims at classifying foods on the basis of a colour code, based on the content of the product, and the effects of that system on the free circulation of goods in the internal market as well as the correct information for consumers (5899/14 [see below]).
The Commission took note of the concerns expressed by the Italian delegation and recalled that the system developed by the United Kingdom is a voluntary system made possible by the current legislation on labelling. It also indicated that it will examine the requests made by the Italian delegation, paying attention to the scheme's respect for the principles of the functioning of the internal market.
The United Kingdom delegation recalled the voluntary nature of the scheme and stated that it will continue to monitor the scheme in order to guarantee that it operates without creating obstacles in the functioning of the internal market.
A copy of the Italian paper submitted for this meeting is available on this site: See: 5899/14 Impact on the EU Acquis of “Hybrid” nutrition labelling system recommended in some Member States - Information from the Italian delegation.
For previous related news item, see: 17 December 2013 LABELLING - Council discussions: "Traffic lights" nutrition labelling system
