Key Aspects in Food and Beverage Labelling: Changes in Legislation
Food and beverage packaging not only protects the product, but is also crucial for attracting consumers and providing important information. Two key European Union regulations with an impact on food and beverage packaging are Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information provided to consumers and Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
But what is the effect of these two major regulations?
For beverages and food packaged in plastic materials, Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 sets the standards this packaging must follow to ensure it does not transfer harmful substances. This regulation covers aspects such as the composition of plastic materials, assessment of the safety of the substances used, and migration tests to ensure food safety in reusable and single-use materials.
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 establishes the rules for the information that must appear on food and beverage labels to ensure that consumers receive the information they need to make safe, informed decisions. Key items on beverage labels include:
- Product Name: It must be clear and not misleading. For example, a beverage with fruit juice must clearly specify the amount of fruit juice it contains.
- Ingredient List: All ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight, including additives, sweeteners and any other components.
- Nutritional Information: The label must include the energy value and amount of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt. This information is voluntary for alcoholic beverages but recommended.
- Net Quantity: The volume of the beverage must be clearly indicated.
- Best Before or Expiry Date: This information is crucial for consumer safety.
- Storage and Usage Conditions: If applicable, instructions must be provided on how to properly store and use the beverage.
- Manufacturer Information: The name and address of the company responsible for the product must be shown.
Additionally, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 is very specific about the legibility of this information, requiring a minimum font size of 1.2 mm (except for the net quantity) to ensure that all data is easy to read.
Despite the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, food and beverage labelling does not address whether the packaging can be reused, how long it can be reused, or whether it is microwave-safe, as there is no legal text that makes this mandatory, which could lead to improper use and food safety risks.
Upcoming Changes in Labelling Legislation
By the end of 2024, the 18th amendment to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 is expected to be published. According to the published draft, plastic packaging intended to come into contact with food and beverages will have to comply with a new labelling standard that provides more information about the packaging.
All materials will have to display the following information:
- The food or groups of foods with which the material can be in contact.
- The contact time and/or temperature of the material .
- Heating conditions such as oven and microwave use.
For reusable materials, the following additional information will be required:
- Information for users on the material’s maximum lifespan.
- Proper instructions to slow down deterioration of the material or object.
- A description of observable changes in the item that indicate it has reached the end of its lifespan.
What is AIMPLAS’ Role?
In response to these legislative changes, the AIMPLAS specialized team is ready to provide personalized advice to help companies comply with the different regulations and protocols on plastics, as well the latest legislative developments.