Retail bosses have welcomed changes made to the EU rules on health and nutrition claims on food products.
The British Retail Consortium said it was pleased that the European Parliament decided to remove parts of the European Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims, which it said would confuse customers and undermine the food industry’s work on product innovation.
The regulation sets out rules for making nutrition and health claims on product labels, following concerns that some claims are made without scientific backing or are misleading by suggesting that the product or an ingredient could improve health.
The BRC said it had been concerned that rules failed to define the criteria and blacklisted certain general health claims, which would affected UK retailers’ healthy option brands.
BRC director general, Dr Kevin Hawkins, said: “BRC members aim to provide consumers with a clearer idea of the impact certain foods have on their diet, but a less prescriptive approach is needed than was originally proposed - one that doesn’t counter retailers’ efforts or create confusion.
It is vital that the messages sent out are consistent so we are pleased MEPs took our advice.
“British food retailers have made significant investments in producing convenient, healthy eating options and in strategies designed to overcome the barriers that discourage people from choosing a healthy diet.
“The BRC has worked hard to find an agreement that will allow retailers to continue developing healthier options for their customers. Today's decision by MEPs reflects that hard work.”
