Origin labelling in the European Union

Abstract

Although information about where a product comes from has always been important for consumers, origin labelling on food products is still controversial. It is far from clear whether consumers value information on the country of origin of a product in and of itself or as an indication of quality or safety. The debate becomes more complex when country of origin labelling is mandated by law: is the requirement driven by producer rather than consumer interests. This article gives an overview of the existing labelling requirements in relation to the origin of food products in the European Union, including the European Commission’s proposal for a new Regulation on the provisions of food information to consumers and gives an introduction to the debate on country of origin labelling in the Codex Alimentarius Commission.