Europe's food companies hit out at French origin labels plan | Progresiv

France's plan to introduce country-of-origin labels for the meat and dairy ingredients used in processed food sold in the country are a "protectionist measure" and "the end of the single market", Europe's food manufacturing trade body, FoodDrinkEurope, has claimed.

In March, the European Commission agreed in principle for France to test out labels indicating the origin of meat and milk in processed foods. The measure was viewed as a means of supporting French agriculture and promoting 'made in France' products, as well as addressing food safety issues in the wake of the so-called 'horsegate' scandal in parts of Europe in 2013.

However, France's plan has this week come in for some criticism from pan-Europe industry associations.

FoodDrinkEurope claimed the measure would push up prices for consumers, reduce choice and could increase waste. "Concretely, this means a food manufacturer in France would have to indicate on the label of his products the origin of every single meat or dairy ingredient," FoodDrinKEurope said. (www.just-food.com)