baby food

The new EU food law, which aims to further restrict the advertising and marketing of infant formula and food for special medical purposes, came into force on 22 February.

 

With Regulation (EU) No. 609/2013 the legislator reformed the European dietary law. The previously applicable Dietary Framework Directive 2009/39/EC was repealed with effect from 20.07.2016 and replaced by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/128 on foods for special medical purposes (FSMP). There have been changes in particular with regard to the nutrition declaration. In addition, nutrition and health claims on foods for special medical purposes were explicitly prohibited.

 

Delegated Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/127 of 25 September 2015 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the specific compositional and information requirements for infant formulae and follow-on formulae and as regards information to be provided in relation to the feeding of infants and young children also entered into force on 22 February 2020. It specifies the addition of two mandatory ingredients: long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and carnitine. Some maximum permitted levels have been reduced, e.g. for protein and vitamins and minerals. The labelling requirements in the nutritional table have also been slightly changed.

 

GOS/FOS are classified as dietary fibres and folic acid is reported as folate. Major restrictions concern the communication of nutritional claims. We recommend consulting the relevant regulations for all requirements.

 

AGROLAB LUFA is the competence centre of the laboratory group for the analysis of FSMP, infant and toddler food. If you have any questions about analysis and labelling, our experts in Kiel will be happy to help you.

 

Read more:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/de/ALL/

 

 

Author: Dr. Frank Mörsberger