The European Court of Auditors has recently launched an audit to assess whether food product labeling in the EU provides consumers with adequate information to make informed choices when purchasing food.

According to EU regulations, information on food products must be accurate, clear, easy to understand, and not misleading. During this audit, the Court will examine how the EU's food product labeling policy is designed, as well as the actions taken by the European Commission and the EU Member States between 2011 and 2023.

The focus will be on pre-packaged food products. Audit visits will also be conducted in three EU Member States (Belgium, Italy, and Lithuania), and meetings with relevant stakeholders will be organized to identify best practices and potential issues.

"Food product labeling is a relevant topic for everyone in Europe. We all want to know what's in our food, where the ingredients come from, and how it is made," said Ms. Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, the Member of the Court responsible for this audit.

"Over the years, the amount of information published on labels has increased: for example, in Europe, there are over 200 eco-labels, many of which are used for food products. We intend to assess whether the information provided meets people's needs and allows them to make informed decisions about the food they consume."

The EU Treaty requires the Union to ensure a high level of consumer protection, safeguarding their health, safety, and economic interests and promoting their right to information.

The General Food Law Regulation establishes a comprehensive framework for the development of food legislation, both at the EU and national levels. The Regulation on Food Information to Consumers stipulates that each food label must contain a mandatory set of information (e.g., allergens, ingredients, and date marking), while also allowing food businesses to include optional information (e.g., eco-labeling).

Responsibility for EU food product labeling policy lies with the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety within the European Commission.

The Directorate monitors the implementation of food product labeling rules and verifies whether Member States correctly apply EU legislation and ensure its proper enforcement.

Member States, in turn, ensure compliance with food legislation and check whether businesses meet the relevant requirements at all stages of production, processing, and distribution, while businesses must ensure that food products comply with applicable laws and requirements.

The Court's audit aims to add value by drawing lessons from existing food product labeling practices and contributing to future revisions of the legislative framework.

The audit report is expected to be published in approximately one year and will mark the first time the Court has specifically audited food product labeling.