Soon an indicator of the origin of food products?
The government indicated this Wednesday March 13 that the approach, launched in February in the midst of the farmers' crisis, received a unanimous welcome from the stakeholders concerned and will be called “Origine-Info”
.
Specifications must be determined by May 1.
The objective, explained the Minister Delegate in charge of Business, Tourism and Consumption Olivia Grégoire, is to
“deliver neutral and objective information on the origin of food products”.
The approach differs from Nutri-score, to the extent that
“nutritional intakes are classified in a scientific manner”
, which is
“not at all transposable to the origins, especially if you intend to bring it to the European level”
, indicated Olivia Grégoire.
However, the approach will only be voluntary in order to remain within the framework of European law.
Specifications by May 1
The minister's announcement follows a meeting with representatives of mass distribution, agro-industrialists and consumer defense associations on the subject of transparency on the origin of ingredients in processed food products, Wednesday in Bercy.
The Fraud Repression services (DGCCRF) were also represented.
“Between now and May 1, we will work on enriching the specifications proposals”
to determine the degree of precision of the information on the origin of the products included in the recipe, or even the place where this information will be available on the packaging or online.
Professionals will also carry out a pre-selection of the logo to indicate this information, which will then be submitted to consumers, explained Olivia Grégoire.
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The reservations of consumer associations
“We support the principle of greater transparency on the origin of ingredients, in a context of supply”
of certain players in the French food chain
“inconsistent with the objectives of reducing the carbon footprint and in terms of food sovereignty”
, reacted to AFP Olivier Andrault, food mission manager at UFC-Que Choisir.
However, he expresses a major reservation
“on the strictly voluntary nature”
proposed.
“With the Nutriscore, we see that this is not enough as the players display it especially on well-labeled products.”
He further indicates that there would be
“a huge hole in the racket”
if
“out-of-home catering, particularly the large chains”
, were exempt from the process.