Thousands of consumers surveyed across four European Union countries have said they want country of origin labelling on more foods.
An average of 70% of consumers surveyed in France, Austria, Poland and Sweden believe country of origin labelling is important on food packaging, European consumer body BEUC has said. The group questioned around 1,000 consumers in each country.
Asked if food labels should detail the specific country of origin, rather than simply differentiating EU from non-EU produce, 50% of consumers in France, 59% in Austria, 64% in Poland and 78% in Sweden said labels should give this more detailed information.
“In 2013, the EU will decide on crucial rules on origin labelling," said BEUC director-general, Monique Goyens. "Our survey clearly shows that this info ranks high when people buy food. Making origin labelling meaningful and easy to find should be legislators’ yardstick.”
At present, origin labelling on food in the EU is patchy. Certain foods, including beef, olive oil, uncanned fish, fruit, vegetable and eggs, must denote origin. For all other foods, origin labelling is currently voluntary.
"Current origin labelling rules are inadequate," said Goyens.
While origin labelling for fresh, frozen and chilled pig, poultry, sheep and goat meet will become mandatory in the EU from 2014, officials have yet to decide on the specific information to be printed on packs - such as whether to state where the animal was reared and slaughtered.
For example, BEUC criticised current EU rules that allow sausages to be labelled as British when the pork comes from Denmark.
