The European Parliament approved new EU food labelling rules that will help to make better informed food shoppers. Labels will have to spell out a food's energy content as well as fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar, protein and salt levels, in a way that makes them easy for consumers to read.

As the result of new EU food labelling rules, food shoppers will be able to be better informed, healthier choices. In addition, producers will also benefit and it will help to strengthen the internal market. Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli, welcomed the Parliament final approval of the regulation because it is a good new for the consumers which completes an effort that started more than three years ago. In addition, it contributes to the fight against the rising levels of obesity and chronic diseases in the EU.

The new rules will ensure that consumers are not misled by the appearance, description or pictorial presentation of food packaging. It will have to be clearly stated on the front of the pack in a prominent font size and next to the brand name an ingredient that would normally be expected has been replaced. Moreover, in future it will be easier for consumers to see if a product contains allergenic substances, as they will have to be highlighted in the ingredient list. Shoppers will thus be able to see information on allergens at a glance.

In addition, nutrition values in the label becomes compulsory. Under the new rules, the energy content and amounts of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt must all be stated in a legible tabular form on the packaging, together and in the same field of vision. With regard to the country-of-origin, the origin of certain foods already has to be shown on the label with the current rules. This rule will now be extended to fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goat and poultry. The Commission will have to introduce implementing rules for this purpose within two years of the regulation's entry into force.