Entered into force new rules for the labeling of food products … – Polish Radio

Entered into force new rules for the labeling of food products … – Polish Radio

It is defined as the minimum font size of the information provided, depending on the surface of the package.

– The new regulation introduces a catalog of 12 mandatory information which must appear on foodstuffs. Include name of the food, the list of ingredients, allergens, the date of minimum durability or the amount of net food – explains in an interview with the agency Newseria Business Blazej Grochowski, a lawyer from Wierzbowski Eversheds.

You need to distinguish allergens

According to the new law on commercial quality of agri-food and the Law on food safety and nutrition, food manufacturers are required to indicate on the package, not only in the production of all the components, but also to distinguish those that can cause allergies. This does not apply when the allergen is present in the product name (eg. Milk). Moreover, the provisions suggest not to use too often, the term “trace amount”.

– First, it can not be verified. Nowhere is it written, what this phrase means exactly. Secondly, it should be limited only to hedge business when in fact there is a potential allergen in connection with the operation of the plant. Then you can use a warning that the product may contain the allergen, but do not suggest the amount of – emphasizes Grochowski.

More font

The change is also a way of presenting information. They are to be visible and legible to the consumer. Theoretically, font size should not be less than 1.2 mm, and at the packaging, which has the largest surface area of ​​less than 80 cm2 – not less than 0.9 mm.

– The packaging of the largest cuboid surface will be the largest field wall. The problem occurs when irregularly shaped, or the rolls. The European food industry organization FoodDrinkEurope suggests that it was a third of the total area, agrees well Quality Inspection of Agricultural and Food – Grochowski said.

‘re preparing checks

Each package will be individually assessed by the State Sanitary Inspection, Quality Inspection of Agricultural and Food or Trade Inspectorate. Therefore, according to an expert can lead to a situation in which two products of similar appearance will be evaluated differently. Despite this, the lawyer welcomes a new regulation.

– Removes it from those provisions of the Act that are duplicated with the provisions of the Regulation. Additionally takes into account the existence of the provisions of the Regulation on the application of penalties. Entrepreneurs who are labeled products in accordance with the rules, will be subject to the penalty of up to thirty times the average monthly wage or five times the value of the contested measures – says Blazej Grochowski.

From December 13, food manufacturers will be required to use most of the provisions of the EU Regulation. Since December 2016 years on the packaging will have to also find nutrition information. Poland had three years to comply with the law of the European Parliament (entered into force 12 December 2011).

– It seems to me that most of the industry is ready for change – says Grochowski.

Products marketed before December 13 of this year, which does not meet the requirements of the regulation may remain on the market until stocks oversold.

In the case of packaged foods until the time of sale will apply the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture on labeling foods, because the EU regulation does not regulate such foods. Within four months will be replaced by a new regulation, which will apply only to non-prepacked food.