European Parliament: New advertising requirements for food
The European Parliament decided Tuesday in Strasbourg that, in the future, the food industry will no longer be allowed to advertise its products with false health claims in the European Union.
In future, the food industry will no longer be allowed to advertise its products in the European Union with false health claims, the European Parliament decided in Strasbourg on Tuesday, according to a statement from the SDA. The decision marks the end of a long-running dispute between consumer advocates and the advertising industry in the EU. Health-related advertising claims on packaging such as "chocolate bars with calcium are good for your bones" should now only be permitted if they are scientifically proven. Brand names where the name is already advertising, such as "Slimfast" (lose weight quickly), may be banned after a transitional period of 15 years. The European Parliament is even stricter when it comes to so-called risk-related claims such as "reduces the risk of heart attack". These must now undergo an approval procedure.
The new marketing rules also apply to foods with a high sugar, fat or salt content, such as potato potato chips, fruit quark, cornflakes or tomato sauces. A limit value may be exceeded, but this must be clearly indicated. If "low in sugar" is written on the packaging, it must also be mentioned if the fat content is particularly high.
The new marketing rules also apply to foods with a high sugar, fat or salt content, such as potato potato chips, fruit quark, cornflakes or tomato sauces. A limit value may be exceeded, but this must be clearly indicated. If "low in sugar" is written on the packaging, it must also be mentioned if the fat content is particularly high.
