Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011
In 2011, the European Parliament published the regulation on the provision of food information to consumers. As of December 13, 2014, this regulation will mandatorily replace the current provisions. In Belgium, this replaces the Royal Decree of September 13, 1999, on the labeling of prepackaged foods. This new legislation will have significant implications for specification management systems, packaging, and labels. Approximately 95% of existing packaging, films, and labels will need to be modified.
The main provisions of this regulation are the mandatory nutrition facts label, a minimum font size, and adjusted typography when allergens are present.
The purpose of this new regulation is to enable consumers to make more informed choices by providing clear, complete, and legible information. One of the most frequently cited problems among consumers was, in fact, the legibility of labels. To address this, the regulation sets a minimum font size for mandatory information (at least 1.2 mm in height, or 0.9 mm for packages with a largest surface area of less than 80 cm²). These mandatory labels include nutritional information. This includes the energy value and the amounts of fats and saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, and salt. These values will be presented in tabular form, but certain elements may also be repeated on the front of the package.
In the future, allergens must be clearly indicated using typography that ensures they are easily distinguishable from the rest of the list of ingredients, for example through the font, style, or color of the letters. The labeling of allergens will also be mandatory for non-prepackaged foods, including those served in restaurants and other food service establishments. The practical rules will have to be determined by the Member States.
Vegetable oils and fats will no longer be listed solely under this designation. The plant source of these oils and fats must also be indicated. Finally, the mandatory origin labeling requirement for beef will be extended to pork, lamb, goat meat, and poultry. In addition, the origin of a product’s main ingredients must be indicated when the product’s origin (whether voluntarily or mandatorily stated) differs from that of the main ingredients.
Of course, as a manufacturer, you may choose to follow the new nutrition labeling rules on a voluntary basis even before December 13, 2014. However, there is a specific condition attached to this: you must comply with all the provisions. It is not permitted to combine the old and new food labeling systems.
