The European Parliament has backed plans to create a new meat labeling regulation in processed foods.
The new law, when put into force, will require food producers to mention the country of origin of meat used as an ingredient in processed foods, such as lasagne.
The MEPs call on the European Commission to come up with legislative proposals in order to ensure more transparency throughout the food chain following the horsemeat scandal and other food fraud cases.
Environment Committee chair Giovanni La Via said: "After the horse meat scandal, it is now up to us to regain consumers' trust. We are asking the Commission to come up with a legislative proposal with a mandatory country of origin labelling, because this will help to enhance transparency and to provide clear and complete information to the consumers.
"We must nonetheless ensure that this does not lead to additional burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises, of which there are many in this sector", added La Via.
Nearly 30-50% of slaughtered meat is processed into meat ingredients for foodstuffs, mostly minced meat, meat preparations and meat products.
Over 90% of consumer respondents have said that labeling the origin of meat for processed food products is important, according to European Commission's report.
Image: The new law, when put into force, will require food producers to mention the country of origin of meat used as an ingredient in processed foods. Photo: courtesy of European Parliament.
