Meat plants bemoan the EU haste

Photo: Mati Hiis / Õhtuleht

Pretty soon, new requirements will enter into force regarding food product labelling, some of which irk the companies. For instance, meat producers are unwilling to show content of water near name of products.

To switch over to EU single packaging labelling rules, meat plants could use more time as changing the packages has great costs attached.

«It’s a pity the transitional time is so short,» said Saaremaa meat plant chief technologist Malle Mägi. According to Ms Mägi, it takes a lot of time to analyse all the raw material components in order to alter the labelling.

Changing the package also costs a lot of money. «We have so much packaging already printed,» said Ms Mägi, adding that a lot remains incomprehensible for entrepreneurs in the regulation ratified in 2011. «For clarification, we have had recourse to the ministry,» said Ms Mägi. 

«Yes, we could surely have used more time to make the switch,» echoed Nõo meat plant sales director Simmo Kruustük while also citing the related costs.

«We are indeed aware that the entrepreneurs are not excited about the new requirements,» admitted agriculture ministry press rep Eva Lehtla. 

Martin Minjajev, food department head of the same ministry, would still like to point out that instead of the usual 18 months from regulation passed and imposed «now we are talking about three years». According to him, the changes were included in the 2011 regulation on food information, the entrepreneurs having been consulted starting 2008. «Why didn’t [the entrepreneurs] tackle the packaging issue earlier?» asks Mr Minjajev.

Mr Minjajev added that meat plant people and ministry staff will convene at the end of August to see how bad it is. So far, the main problem seems to be the ban, starting December 13^th, to sell any products in the old non-conforming packaging.   

To solve the problem, Mr Minjajev is currently at a loss. «We can’t be too tough if the people are in trouble. But we also cannot have double standards, making a difference between producers,» said Mr Minjajev regarding sales of old-packaged food while also citing possible problems with food products sold internationally. «After December 13^th, these may be removed from Latvian and Lithuanian stores... But we have lots of exporting companies,» noted Mr Minjajev.

Also, producers are complaining concerning the need to add water-content to product name – this having already been pointed out in ingredients list.

What will change?

Starting December 13^th, labelling requirements will become more specific. Minimal font size will be imposed; information on certain allergens and water content (with meat products) must be brought out with enhanced clarity. 

Data on meat and fish products freezing and unfreezing dates will be added. Starting 2016, nutritional information order will be altered; among other things, the packages will need to feature salt content.

Labelling gets clearer, bigger

A fresh study ordered by agriculture ministry shows consumers often have trouble reading the labelling information, the letters and numbers being too small. Therefore, starting December, minimal character size will be 1.2 mm.

Also starting December, the mandatory information will need to strike the eye, be clearly readable, not hidden or closed up in any manner. It will also need to stand in contrast to the backdrop. 

Allergy options easier

With unpackaged foods like salads or sausages, the main allergy inducing ingredients will need to be listed at the sales spot. On packages, these will need to stand out among other data by style or background colour.

Country of meat (product) origin shown

According to a fresh study, over half of Estonian consumers who read labelling desire information on country of origin. At the moment, precise information is available on beef, fruit, vegetables, honey and olive oil. Starting April 2015, showing country of origin will also be mandatory for fresh, chilled and frozen pork, lamb, goat, and poultry.

Additionally, the European Commission will be seeking ways to have raw material origin information specified on labelling of various meat and milk products, as well as jams and jellies: should a jam be made in Estonia out of berries picked in Poland, the buyer will read and understand.

Nutritional information ubiquitous

Starting December 2016, food producers will need to show energy content, and amounts of fats, saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, and salt. At the moment, these are only required in case a product makes a nutritional or health-related claim.

Salt issues solved

Pursuant to new rules, instead of sodium, people will be shown salt amount calculated on basis of sodium – this, the people will have an easier time to grasp. With all specifics listed, to avoid confusion, consumers will be helped to know the rule of thumb: daily salt consumption better stay within six grams.

Meat/fish freeze/defreeze info added

The date when meat and meat products were frozen needs to be shown. In case such products are sold in melted form, this needs to be specified. If melting the product will alter options for a product’s use, consumer needs to be notified.

Product names «watered down»

With meat and fish products sold by slices, rations or fried pieces, the final weight of which contains over 5 percent of water, this needs to be included in product name. After a while, therefore, consumers should spot some different product names.