EU restricts health-related advertising for foods
Misleading advertising for foods such as "Good for the immune system" or "Strengthens the immune system" will be drastically restricted in the EU. This affects around 1,600 health-related advertising slogans.
On Wednesday in Brussels, the EU Parliament's Consumer Protection Committee approved a Commission proposal to ban the slogans. Only around 220 advertising claims were permitted - such as "good for digestion" for biscuits with lots of fiber.
The health claims were reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Parma. Only slogans that were deemed to be scientifically sound were approved. For example, the claim that so-called probiotic yogurt strengthens the immune system was rejected.
The EU Commission must now formally approve the lists, which, according to an official, should happen in a few weeks. After publication in the European Official Journal, manufacturers of food products whose advertising slogans have not been approved have six months to sell products that are already packaged. "After this period, they may no longer use the offending slogans," the official explained. However, manufacturers could apply for a review at any time on the basis of new scientific findings.
The lists are part of an EU regulation that was adopted back in 2006. Their preparation took longer than initially planned because the EFSA received around 44,000 applications for approval of advertising claims - far more than initially expected. (SDA/AFP)
(Image: Keystone)
