Snack producers get support for call for voluntary country of origin labelling

Country of origin labelling (COOL) should be not be mandatory for snacks and other foods, as the financial burdens would outweigh any benefits, claims a leading Spanish politician.

Spanish MEP Pilar Ayuso was speaking at a European Snacks Association (ESA) seminar this week, and she reiterated her previous statements on the issue that indication of origin labelling would impose additional costs for the food industry which could prove disproportionate to any gains.

The MEP stated that EU legislation on food labelling is becoming enormously complex and that the issue of indication of origin should be looked at sector by sector.

In March this year, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament voted in favour of mandatory country of origin labelling for several foods including meat, poultry, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Committee members also approved proposals to indicate the country of origin for meat, poultry and fish when used as ingredients in processed food.