The new guidance establishes a step-by-step approach for consumers and food authorities to identify whether producers are in breach of these laws. The European Union (EU) has issued guidelines to…

The new guidance establishes a step-by-step approach for consumers and food authorities to identify whether producers are in breach of these laws.

The European Union (EU) has issued guidelines to help national authorities determine whether a company is breaking laws by selling food or drink products of dual quality in different countries.

The new guidance says there could be a breach of EU consumer laws if consumers are not informed about the difference in a product between two countries and if the difference affects their buying behaviour.

The Food Information Regulation requires that consumers are given truthful and sufficient information about a particular food product. For example, food labels must list of all of the ingredients contained in a product.

Furthermore, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive prohibits marketing identically branded products in a way that has the potential to mislead consumers.

Based on the legislation, the new guidance establishes a step-by-step approach for consumers and food authorities to identify whether producers are in breach of these laws.

In addition to the new guidelines, the European Commission is working on a methodology to improve food product comparative tests so that member states can discuss the issue on a sound and shared scientific basis. The Commission has made €1 million available to its Joint Research Centre to develop this methodology.