Traceability: Brussels Will Make It Mandatory to Indicate the Origin of Processed Meat

  A resolution adopted yesterday by Members of the European Parliament calls on the European Commission to put forward legislative proposals to make it mandatory to indicate the country of origin of meat used as an ingredient in prepared foods, similar to the requirements already in place for fresh beef. The goal is to restore consumer confidence following the 2013 horse meat scandal, as well as to improve traceability throughout the food chain and combat fraud.  

A Report to Launch the Debate

The Commission has already examined the issue and released a report in December 2013 that weighs the need to better inform European consumers against the feasibility of implementing this mandatory labeling, as well as its impact on product costs. According to the report, more than 90% of consumers surveyed want the labels on processed food products to indicate the origin of the meat used. However, this requirement takes a back seat if it leads to higher costs and lower quality.  

Will prices rise?

Estimates of how this new labeling would affect prices differ significantly between the consumer organization Que Choisir and the Brussels report. MEPs are therefore calling for additional assessments to be conducted, in cooperation with consumer organizations, to better determine what would be economically viable for businesses and acceptable in terms of purchasing power—all without delaying the legislative process. The resolution will be debated and voted on in plenary next month.