New Commission initiative on specialised food products

The Commission adopted on 20 June 2011 a draft regulation aiming at better informing EU consumers.

Proposal:

What would the proposal change?

• Strengthen provisions on foods for vulnerable population groups that need particular protection e.g. infants and children up to 3 years old and people with specific medical conditions e.g. cancer patients or people with metabolism disorders.
• Keep current compositional and labelling rules for infant and follow-on formulae, processed cereal-based foods and other baby foods and foods for special medical purposes;
• Replace the current 3 lists with a single EU list of substances that can be added to these foods including minerals and vitamins;
• Repeal Directive 2009/39/EC and abolishes the concept of dietetic foods.
• Reduce the administrative burden, brings clarity and consistency within the EU and flexibility in the innovative food market.

Process

If the European Parliament and the Council agree on the proposal, the new regulation should be in force by the end of 2012.

Relevant documents

• Press Release: Specialized food products: Commission's initiative to provide better information to consumers
• Questions and Answers
• Citizens' Summary:
• Impact Assessment summaries:
• Impact Assessment

What are foods for particular nutritional uses?

Foods for particular nutritional uses (dietetic foods) are specially manufactured to satisfy the particular nutritional requirements of specific groups of people. These could be:

• Baby foods;
• Foods for people suffering from gluten or lactose intolerance;
• Foods for special medical purposes etc.

Current EU rules on foods for particular nutritional uses

The 'Framework Directive' - Directive 2009/39/EC - established general rules for dietetic foods aiming to:

• Ensure product safety, suitability and appropriate consumer information.
• Adopt specific directives for certain groups of such foods, if necessary.

Current specific legislation for certain groups of foods

• Foods for infants and young children
  • Infant formulae and follow-on formulae
  • Processed cereal-based foods and baby foods (weaning foods)
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• Foods for energy-restricted diets for weight reduction
• Foods for special medical purposes
• Foods for people with gluten intolerance (gluten-free foods)
• Foods for sports people

Notification

Dietetic foods other than those above must be notified to facilitate the official monitoring and marketing of innovative products.

Commission reports

• Foods for people with diabetes
• Notification procedure - implementing Art. 11, Framework Directive