And Euro firms complain over costs and uncertainty

Food manufacturers have criticised the European Commission (EC) and governments over implementation of food labelling laws.

According to results of a consultation on labelling legislation by the EC, manufacturers say there are significant costs involved when changing label designs, especially when new legislation comes into force every few months. They want changes to be co-ordinated and introduced simultaneously.

Manufacturers also complained about the labelling of genetically modified (GM) food. They say regulations cover products derived from GMOs (genetically modified organisms) even though they do not contain any GM material. This is unjustified, they say, difficult to enforce, costly, and open to fraud.

Meanwhile, the food industry appears to be on a collision course with consumer, health and animal welfare organisations, which say commercial messages should be given less prominence in order that mandatory information can be improved. But manufacturers say that branding and design are vital to marketing and defend multi-lingual labels, claiming that they cut costs.

Origin labelling was another bone of contention. Consumer organisations and the agricultural sector favour mandatory origin labelling for main ingredients, while manufacturers argue this is too difficult because of frequent supply changes. Both sides agree they want EU-wide regulation rather than directives which create inconsistencies.