FoodDrinkEurope calls for agreement at second reading on outstanding technical issues, on foods for particular nutritional purposes (PARNUTS)
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(Brussels, 18 June 2012) FoodDrinkEurope takes note of last week’s first reading vote of the European Parliament on the draft Regulation on food intended for infants and young children and food for special medical purposes.
The European food and drink industry now looks to the EU institutions to find agreement at second reading on outstanding (technical) issues, such as statements related to the absence or limited presence of gluten in foods.
In this regard, FoodDrinkEurope calls on decision-makers to support the inclusion of the "gluten-free" and "very low gluten" statements in the scope of Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers by:
1. Transferring the content of Regulation (EC) 41/2009 into implementing acts under Regulation 1169/2011;
2. Maintaining the distinction, currently present in Regulation 41/2009, between normal foodstuff with the absence of gluten, and specialised food products "suitable for coeliacs", especially formulated to constitute an alternative of current products characterised by cereals containing gluten, in order to ensure legal certainty for industry and to provide appropriate information to the vulnerable coeliac consumer.
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For further information:
Lisa McCooey, Deputy Director General/ Director of Communications
Tel.: +32 2 514 11 11, Mob.: +32 476 911 300
The mission of FoodDrinkEurope is to represent the food and drink industries of the EU – the largest manufacturing sector in the EU in terms of turnover and employment. FoodDrinkEurope works with European and international institutions, in order to contribute to the development of a legislative and economic framework addressing the competitiveness of industry, food quality and safety, consumer protection and respect for the environment. FoodDrinkEurope's membership consists of 26 national federations, including 3 observers, 26 European sector associations and 19 major food and drink companies. For more information on FoodDrinkEurope and its activities, visit: www.fooddrinkeurope.eu