Food safety
Meat in processed food must have origin labelled according to EU Parliament
The European Parliament today adopted a resolution urging the European Commission to finally propose new legislation to ensure mandatory origin labelling for meat in processed foods, like frozen lasagnes or pies. Commenting after the vote UK Green MEP Keith Taylor, who co-drafted the resolution, said:
"Parliament has again made clear the need to ensure mandatory origin labelling for meat in processed foods and we hope the EU Commission will finally address this. The horsemeat scandal shone the spotlight on the lack of transparency in our food supply chain and this must be redressed. While no silver bullet against fraud, compulsory labelling of meat in processed foods would oblige producers to keep a tighter grip on their suppliers and would make them more accountable for what they put in their food products.
"There is overwhelming support among consumers for origin labelling: people have a right to know where their food comes from. The Commission's own research has made this clear. From April this year, there will be mandatory origin labelling for all fresh, chilled or frozen meat. Given the nature of processed foods and the supply chain, it is just as important to have the same obligation for meat used in these products. A more transparent meat supply chain will benefit consumers and businesses alike by making it harder for less scrupulous operators to cut corners."
