AM Com Legreport

<EntPE>EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT</EntPE>

2004 / / 2009

Commission{ENVI}Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety</Commission

RefProc2008/0028</RefProcRefTypeProc(COD)</RefTypeProc

<TypeAM>AMENDMENTS</TypeAM>

<RangeAM>649 - 751</RangeAM> - Part IV

<TitreType>Draft report</TitreType>

<Rapporteur>Renate Sommer</Rapporteur>

<Titre>Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers</Titre>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

AM_Com_LegReport

<RepeatBlock-Amend<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>649</NumAm>

<Members>John Bowis, Chris Davies</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – point 1</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
1. ‘nutrition declaration’ or ‘nutrition labelling’ means information consisting of: / 1. ‘nutrition declaration’ or ‘nutrition labelling’ means information stating:
(a) energy value; or / (a) energy value; or
(b) energy value and one or more of the following nutrients: / (b) energy value and one or more of the following nutrients and their components:
- fat, / - fat,
- carbohydrate, / - carbohydrate,
- fibre, / - fibre,
- protein, / - protein,
- salt, / - salt,
- vitamins and minerals listed in AnnexXI, PartA; point1 and present in significant amounts as defined in AnnexXI, PartA; point2. / - vitamins and minerals listed in AnnexXI, PartA; point1 and present in significant amounts as defined in AnnexXI, PartA; point2.

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>650</NumAm>

<Members>Richard Seeber</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – points 1 - 10</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
1. ‘nutrition declaration’ or ‘nutrition labelling’ means information consisting of: / 1. ‘nutrition labelling’ means information consisting of:
(a) energy value; or / (a) energy value; or
(b) energy value and one or more of the following nutrients: / (b) energy value and one or more of the following nutrients, as well as any substance which belongs to one of these categories or forms part of a substance belonging to this category:
- fat, / - fat,
- carbohydrate, / - carbohydrate,
- fibre, / - fibre,
- protein, / - protein,
- salt, / - sodium,
- vitamins and minerals listed in Annex XI, Part A; point 1 and present in significant amounts as defined in Annex XI, Part A; point 2. / - vitamins and minerals listed in Annex XI, Part A; point 1 and present in significant amounts as defined in Annex XI, Part A; point 2.
2. ‘fat’ means total lipids, and includes phospholipids; / 2. ‘fat’ means total lipids, and includes phospholipids;
3. ‘saturates’ means fatty acids without double bond; / 3. ‘saturates’ means fatty acids without a carbon-carbon double bond;
4. ‘trans fat’ means fatty acids with at least one non-conjugated (namely interrupted by at least one methylene group) carbon-carbon double bond in the trans configuration; / 4. ‘trans fat’ means fatty acids with at least one non-conjugated (namely interrupted by at least one methylene group) carbon-carbon double bond in the trans configuration;
5. ‘mono-unsaturates’ means fatty acids with one cis double bond; / 5. ‘mono-unsaturates’ means fatty acids with one carbon-carbon double bond in the cis double bond;
6. ‘polyunsaturates’ means fatty acids with cis, cis-methylene interrupted double bonds; / 6. ‘polyunsaturates’ means fatty acids with at least two isolated carbon-carbon double bonds;
7. ‘carbohydrate’ means any carbohydrate which is metabolized in man, and includes polyols; / 7. ‘carbohydrate’ means any carbohydrate which is metabolized in man, and includes polyols;
8. ‘sugars’ means all monosaccharides and disaccharides present in food, but excludes polyols; / 8. ‘sugars’ means all monosaccharides and disaccharides present in food, but excludes polyols, isomaltulose and D-tagatose;
9. ‘polyols’ means alcohols containing more than two hydroxyl groups; / 9. ‘polyols’ means alcohols containing more than two hydroxyl groups;
10 ‘protein’ means the protein content calculated using the formula: protein = total Kjeldahl nitrogen × 6,25; / 10. ‘protein’ means the protein content calculated using the formula: protein = total Kjeldahl nitrogen × 6,25; 6,38 for milk protein and 5,7l for soya protein.

Or. <Original>{DE}de</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

Doppelbegriffe für dieselbe Sache sind abzulehnen, es reicht der Ausdruck „Nährwertkennzeichnung“ in Z 1.

Klarstellung im Pk.1 b dass auch Bestandteile eines Nährstoffs umfasst sind, entsprechend der bisherigen Rechtslage (vgl. Art. 3 der NährwertkennzeichnungsRL Nr. 90/496/EWG).

Klarstellung der Definitionen, die eindeutige Rückschlüsse auf die chemische Struktur zulassen (vgl. Z 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9).

Natrium statt Salz: In der Nährwertkennzeichnung sollte auf „Natrium“ anstelle von „Salz“ hingewiesen werden. Der physiologisch relevante Stoff ist „Natrium“ und nicht (Koch-)Salz; bei gesalzenen Lebensmitteln spielt das kaum eine Rolle, für nährwertbezogene Angaben „Natriumarm“ und „streng natriumarm“ ist der Unterschied zwischen Natrium und Salz jedoch essentiell. Eine „Salzangabe“ wäre etwa bei Erfrischungsgetränken irreführend, enthalten diese kein „(Koch-)Salz“, jedoch „Natrium“. Um eine Irreführung des Verbrauchers hinanzuhalten, sollte daher die Angabe von Natrium beibehalten werden.

Isomaltulose und D-Tagatose: Als zugelassenes Novel Food unterscheiden sich diese beiden Stoffe von den Zuckerarten und sollten daher von der Definition ausgenommen werden.

Die korrekteÜbersetzung des englischen Begriffs „sugars“ ins Deutsche sollte „Zuckerarten“ lauten (vgl. Richtlinie 2001/111/EG über bestimmte Zuckerarten).

Berechnungsfaktoren für Milcheiweiß und Sojaeiweiß sollten im Einklang mit dem weltweiten Codex festgelegt werden (Codex Stan 1-1985 – General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged-Foods und Codex Stan 72-1981 for infant formula).

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>651</NumAm>

<Members>Riitta Myller</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – point 1 – point b – indent 5</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
– salt, / – sodium contained in salt and additives,

Or. <Original>{FI}fi</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

In some product categories, additives may contain a considerable quantity of sodium. For example the criteria for use of the Finnish heart symbol, indicating what foods help to keep the heart healthy, also take account of sodium in additives.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>652</NumAm>

<Members>Peter Liese</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – point 1 – point b</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
- salt, / - Sodium

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

Salt (Sodium Chloride) is not the only source of Sodium in the diet. There are many other sodium salts than Sodium Chloride (for example: monosodium glutamate, sodium carbonate,…). Mentioning “Sodium from salt” would only list a minimal part of the real content and would not provide correct information.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>653</NumAm>

<Members>Magor Imre Csibi</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – point 8</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
8. ‘sugars’ means all monosaccharides and disaccharides present in food, but excludes polyols; / 8. ‘sugars’ means all monosaccharides and disaccharides present in food, but excludes polyols and isomaltulose;

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

Isomaltulose is an authorized novel food, that is covered by the carbohydrate definition. It should not be classified under "sugars" because its key physiological characteristics are different from traditional sugars. Isomaltulose is tooth friendly, is slowly release to the body, providing a low blood glucose response while being fully digestible.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>654</NumAm>

<Members>Renate Sommer</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – point 8</Article>

Or. <Original>{DE}de</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

Isomaltulose and D-tagatose are permitted novel foods which fall within the definition of carbohydrates. Isomaltulose and D-tagatose should not be regarded as 'sugars', as they differ significantly from traditional sugar on account of their physiological properties. For example, they are harmless to teeth, have little effect on the blood sugar level and have a low calorie content.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>655</NumAm>

<Members>Avril Doyle</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – point 9</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
9. ‘polyols’ means alcohols containing more than two hydroxyl groups; / 9. ‘polyols’ are defined as carbohydrates which are reduced mono-, di-, oligosaccharides or polysaccharides and which are listed as permitted sweeteners;

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

While the Commissions proposal is technically correct, it provides two distinct disadvantages. When referring to "alcohols", polyols are food additives and are considered as such at international level. They are included in the General Standard of Food Additives of the Codex Alimentarius. Part of the polyols that are produced in the EU are exported in third-countries. The introduction of a reference in a legal text that polyols means alcohols may lead to a regrettable consumer misunderstanding in those countries where consumption of alcohol is prohibited on religious grounds. Such reference may also have consequences from a trade perspective, bearing in mind the restrictive legislation and specific custom taxes that apply to alcohol imports in certain third countries.

-the capture of “glycerol” that is not a nutritional polyol

Actually, the definition of “polyol” in the context of this Regulation specifically refers to those polyol substances authorised as sweeteners in foods. Certain substances, though complying with the chemical definition (e.g. glycerol) do not show the nutritional properties acknowledged for the polyols that are authorised as sweeteners in food.

Therefore, acknowledging that the absence of an explicit definition of polyols in the current EU food legislative framework has never been problematic because polyols are de facto characterised by detailed specifications, the polyol producers consider that there is no reason to introduce a definition for polyols in the proposed Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers, which would bring nothing else but problems.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>656</NumAm>

<Members>Peter Liese</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex I – point 11</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
11. ‘salt’ means the salt content calculated using the formula: salt = sodium ×2,5; / 11. sodium means the total amount of
sodium in a given food;

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

“Salt content” and “salt content equivalent” do not have the same meaning; “salt content” is the real salt amount implemented in the food; “salt content equivalent” is a theoretical amount of salt calculated from the total amount of sodium in the food.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>657</NumAm>

<Members>Avril Doyle</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex II – point 1 – point d</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(d) cereals used for making distillates or ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin for spirit drinks and other beverages containing more than 1,2 % by volume of alcohol. / (d) cereals used for making alcoholic distillates.

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

The amendment is necessary to make the exception more explicit and to bring it in line with the EFSA Opinion. The original wording could lead to products being labelled as allergenic when, as the EFSA Opinion shows; they do not contain any allergenic material. The Commission agrees that the current wording needs to be amended so as to ensure vulnerable consumers are not misled.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>658</NumAm>

<Members>Avril Doyle</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex II – point 7 – point a</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(a) whey used for making distillates or ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin for spirit drinks and other beverages containing more than 1,2 % by volume of alcohol; / (a) whey used for making alcoholic distillates.

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>659</NumAm>

<Members>Avril Doyle</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex II – point 8 – point a</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(a)nuts used for making distillates or ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin for spirit drinks and other beverages containing more than 1,2 % by volume of alcohol. / (a)nuts used for making alcoholic distillates.

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>660</NumAm>

<Members>Richard Seeber</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex II – point 12</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
12. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites at concentrations of more than 10mg/kg or 10mg/litre expressed as SO2. / 12. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites at concentrations of more than 10mg/kg or 10mg/litre expressed as SO2 , in the product as consumed.

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

The amendment is clarifying that the limits set are only relevant for the food ready for consumption because the provision is dealing with allergies or intolerances caused by consuming food and is thus not applicable to products in concentrated form which need to be prepared before consumption.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>661</NumAm>

<Members>Richard Seeber</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex III – point 1</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
1.Foods packaged in certain gases
1.1Foods whose durability has been extended by means of packaging gases authorised pursuant to Council Directive89/107/EEC[1] / ‘Packaged in a protective atmosphere’ / deleted

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

Avoid double declaration.

With regard to point 1.1., it does not represent an additional information to the consumer. He/she should look at the date of durability.

We consider the mandatory double labelling of sweeteners to be unnecessary. Sweeteners are clearly labelled in the ingredients list and where necessary a warning label for the presence of phenylalanine is provided. The provision was adopted at a time when use of low calorie sweeteners was less common within the EU and this proposal provides an excellent opportunity for simplification.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>662</NumAm>

<Members>Richard Seeber</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex III – point 2.1</Article>

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

Avoid double declaration.

With regard to point 1.1., it does not represent an additional information to the consumer. He/she should look at the date of durability.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>663</NumAm>

<Members>Amalia Sartori, Françoise Grossetête, Guido Sacconi, Alessandro Foglietta</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex III – point 2.1</Article>

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>

The mandatory double labelling of sweeteners to be unnecessary. Sweeteners are clearly labelled in the ingredients list and where necessary a warning label for the presence of phenylalanine is provided. The provision was adopted at a time when use of low calorie sweeteners was less common within the EU and this proposal provides an excellent opportunity for simplification.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>664</NumAm>

<Members>Kathalijne Maria Buitenweg, Carl Schlyter, Hiltrud Breyer</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex III – point 2.1</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
2.1Foods containing a sweetener or sweeteners authorised pursuant to Directive89/107/EEC / ‘with sweetener(s)’ this statement shall accompany the name of the food. / 2.1Foods containing a sweetener or sweeteners authorised pursuant to Directive89/107/EEC / ‘with sweetener(s)’ this statement shall accompany the name of the food in the principal field of vision.

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>665</NumAm>

<Members>Richard Seeber</Members>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a regulation</DocAmend>

<Article>Annex III – point 2.2</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
2.2Foods containing both an added sugar or sugars and a sweetener or sweeteners authorised pursuant to Directive89/107/EEC / ‘with sugar(s) and sweetener(s)’ this statement shall accompany the name of the food. / deleted

Or. <Original>{EN}en</Original>

<TitreJust>Justification</TitreJust>