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Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain Breakfast Directives

TA-9-2023-0445 · P9_TA(2023)0445 · PE752.665

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Parliament's amended version of a proposed directive amending the Breakfast Directives on honey, fruit juices, jams and preserved milk. It requires honey origin labelling with percentages, bans ultrafiltered honey and vacuum evaporation, and creates a 'reduced-sugar fruit juice' category. It sets traceability rules for honey, an EU reference laboratory, and an invertase index for 'unheated honey'. It requires origin labelling for fruit juices and jams, and shortens the transposition period to 12 months.

Key points

  1. Honey labels must indicate the country or countries of origin on the front-of-pack, in descending order of quantity with exact blended percentages allowing a 5% tolerance.
  2. For packs over 30 g, each country's percentage share in weight must be shown using ranges from >90% down to <10%; for packs of 30 g or less, ranges from >75% to <25%.
  3. For packs under 30 g of blended honey, countries of origin may be shown using the ISO 3166 alpha-2 country code; if two or more countries cover at least 98% of the weight, residual countries need not be listed.
  4. Ultrafiltered honey, called 'filtered honey', may no longer be marketed as honey; no pollen count or spectrum smaller than 100 µm is permitted, and products with little or no pollen must be prohibited from the market.
  5. Honey treated above 40°C (± 5°C) must be labelled 'heated honey'; vacuum evaporation is prohibited, and 'unheated honey' must meet an invertase index of generally not less than 50 U/kg, or 25 U/kg for low-enzyme honeys.
  6. Each honey marketed under a different identification than the beekeeper's must have an identifier code linked to a traceability system tracing the supply chain back to beekeepers.
  7. An EU reference laboratory for honey must be established to improve controls and detect adulteration through systematic testing.
  8. The Commission must adopt delegated acts within 12 months of entry into force on a harmonised methodology for honey origin and authenticity; from 18 months, placing honey on the market depends on traceability compliance.
  9. A new category 'reduced-sugar fruit juice' or 'reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate' is created, with at least 30% sugar reduction and a strict ban on any added sugar or sweetener.
  10. The country of origin of fruit used for juice must be on the front label, in descending order if from more than one country; for jams, the origin of fruits and sugar must be labelled with percentage ranges.
  11. The statement 'contains only naturally occurring sugars' may appear on fruit juice labels; reduced-sugar juices may not carry claims about health benefits or nutritional value compared to natural fruits.
  12. Member States must transpose the directive within 12 months and apply the provisions from 18 months after entry into force; products placed on the market before then may continue until stocks are exhausted.

Who is affected

  • Honey producers and importers must label origin with percentages and meet traceability and authenticity rules.
  • Fruit juice and jam manufacturers must label fruit origin and follow new rules on reduced-sugar products and additives.
  • Member States must transpose the rules, carry out checks and set penalties for infringements.
  • Consumers gain more information on honey and fruit origin and on reduced-sugar products.

Figures and deadlines

  • 5% tolerance for blended honey percentages on the label.
  • Packs containing more than 30 g: percentage ranges >90%, 70%-90%, 50%-70%, 30%-50%, 10%-30%, <10%.
  • Packs containing 30 g or less: percentage ranges >75%, 50%-75%, 25%-50%, <25%.
  • Two or more countries reflecting at least 98% of the weight: residual countries need not be indicated.
  • Heat treatment above 40°C (± 5°C) requires the label 'heated honey'.
  • Invertase index for 'unheated honey': generally not less than 50 U/kg; low-enzyme honeys not less than 25 U/kg.
  • Sugar reduction of at least 30% compared to fruit juice for reduced-sugar fruit juice.
  • Transposition period of 12 months; provisions apply from 18 months after entry into force.