Front-of-pack nutrition labelling: EU Member States fail to reach consensus

PRESS RELEASE - 15.12.2020

The EU’s German Presidency has just adopted conclusions on food labelling. Sadly, what were originally intended to be Council conclusions – signed off by all Member States – have been downgraded to non-unanimous Presidency conclusions, which send a weaker message. 

Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, commented:

“Despite good efforts by the German Presidency, it is disappointing that Member States have not been able to reach a unanimous position on the basic elements of any future nutritional label. While many Member States rightly support and welcome the principle of a mandatory, harmonised front-of-pack label, it is a shame that a minority of countries keep blocking solutions to help consumers to shop for healthier food. 

“With one in two adults either overweight or obese, diet-related diseases are still a serious issue in the EU.¹ International experts such as the World Health Organization have recognised front-of-pack nutrition labelling as a crucial tool to contribute to the fight against obesity.² It is therefore a no brainer that a harmonised nutrition label on the front of packaging must become mandatory in the EU.

“There is a very high level of independent scientific evidence pointing to Nutri-Score as the most effective scheme in making consumers’ shopping baskets healthier. As such, we believe Nutri-Score should be the label rolled out across the EU.”

The EU Commission is due to make a proposal on harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling at the end of 2022.

More information

• BEUC press release ‘Seven Member States oppose ambitious EU plans to help consumers eat healthier food’, 21 September 2020.
• BEUC position on front-of-pack nutritional labelling, 2019.
• BEUC factsheet on Nutri-Score, 2019.

1. Eurostat, European Health Interview Survey, 2016.
2. WHO, European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015-2020.