Boosting nutrition and consumer information: FoodDrinkEurope’s recommendations for the new EU Commission

As the European Union advances into a new phase with the recent elections, a fresh mandate for the European Commission will start soon. FoodDrinkEurope? proposes several policy recommendations aimed at facilitating the transition towards healthier and more sustainable diets.

One of the key areas is about ensuring the Single Market remains robust and cohesive. To achieve this, it is essential to avoid confusion caused by divergent rules in different countries. We recommend a harmonised approach for food information throughout the EU. A unified strategy is crucial for addressing consumer needs and market demands effectively.

We are also advocating for the development of a EU-wide digital labelling framework by the European Commission. Incorporating digital solutions onto the food label can meet consumers’ desire for more information, overcoming the space constraints of physical labels, whilst reducing packaging waste. Additionally, we suggest making some adjustments to the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation to facilitate consumers’ choice for more sustainable food and drinks through improved labelling.?

The European food and drink sector has been working diligently to support more balanced diets. To further these efforts, we call for increased incentives to scale up successful health and sustainability initiatives, and to build greater trust in food innovations and processing. Moreover, there is a need for awareness campaigns and education on food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles at all levels of governance.

It is also important to remember that any recommendations about healthy and sustainable diets should take into account historical, social, cultural, and economic contexts, considering factors such as affordability, accessibility, and convenience, and recognising the needs of groups like children and the elderly. Regular monitoring of consumption intakes and patterns across the EU is also necessary to keep track of ever-changing consumer behaviours and preferences.

Our progress: FoodDrinkEurope’s commitments

FoodDrinkEurope has been actively promoting healthier and more sustainable food practices through various initiatives. One of our key efforts is the development of a Reformulation and Product Innovation Guide, designed to assist manufacturers, particularly small ones, with guidelines on product innovation and reformulation. We have also created a Fibre and Wholegrain Toolkit, offering best practices for incorporating fibre and wholegrain into products, with a more technical toolkit on the way. Our Portions Toolkit provides guidance to manufacturers on appropriate portion sizes and related communications.

Additionally, as part of our Digital Labelling Initiative, we published reports and hosted webinars to discuss the transition to digital labels. We recognise the efforts of small businesses committed to promoting healthy diets through our biennial Foodies Awards, specifically with the SME Healthier Living Award.

Wrapping it up

Our policy recommendations and ongoing projects show FoodDrinkEurope's dedication to healthier, more sustainable food systems in Europe. As the EU gears up for new leadership, these proposals offer a solid foundation to support the food and drink industry’s role in fostering healthier and more sustainable food systems. By taking these steps, we can ensure that our sector meets its sustainability goals,? remains competitive, and continues to innovate.