The European Commission has confirmed it will not introduce mandatory E-number labelling or require disclosure of raw material origins for food additives, sticking with the current flexibility under the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation. Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, in a written reply to a parliamentary question from MEPs Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Marta Temido (S&D), Emil Radev (PPE), Adam Jarubas (PPE), and Jussi Saramo (The Left), stated that the existing framework already ensures clear allergen listing while allowing producers to choose between using E-numbers or specific additive names. The response cites the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) scientific basis for allergen disclosure and notes that allergen lists can be updated based on new evidence, but it dismisses calls for mandatory source labelling of raw materials.
This reaffirmation comes amid broader EU efforts to balance consumer transparency with industry practicality. The Commission's stance echoes its approach in other food sectors: on April 13, Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen championed balanced marketing standards for the cider sector, proposing categories based on juice content without requiring product reformulations. Similarly, on April 9, von der Leyen highlighted existing EU legislation and coordination to protect coeliac patients, referencing the FIC Regulation and gluten-free standards, while delegating concrete measures to member states. The same day, Dutch supermarkets were reported to sell meat products with up to 40% undisclosed plant-based ingredients, underscoring ongoing transparency challenges. Also on April 13, the AIJN published industry guidelines to support compliance with EU juice legislation, relying on self-regulation models recognized by the Commission, and the EU listed permitted emulsifiers and E-numbers under labeling rules, reinforcing the current additive declaration system.
Commissioner Várhelyi's reply does not propose new legislative actions or deadlines, maintaining the status quo. Allergic consumers benefit from consistent allergen listing, while food producers avoid extra labelling costs. EU regulatory bodies retain their current supervisory roles, and EFSA will continue evaluating allergen lists. NGOs advocating for extreme transparency may find the approach too cautious, but the Commission signals no immediate policy revision.
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