Good news! The European Commission wants to know our opinion.

Through the initiative “Have your say”, the European Commission seeks the opinions of experts, those with lay knowledge, or an opinion about a range of topics. Their objective is to gather as much information as possible before formulating policy, which increases the likelihood of success. EuroFIR has many things to say about food, nutrition, and health, but we are also politically neutral. Therefore, over the last few months, we have taken advantage of this forum to express our views on labelling and the blue economy.

Our first adventure into this new communication channel was the European Commission public consultation on food information on alcoholic beverages, which is part of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Up to now, according to the Regulation 1168/2011, alcoholic beverages containing more than 1.2% by volume of alcohol, are not obligated to include a list of ingredients. The EC asked whether this was correct, or if this exception should be revoked and allow either certain indications off-label or require all indications on-label.

EuroFIR welcomes the commitment to accurate labelling, as we believe that consumers have the right to know what they are eating and drinking. High quality and trustful food information including nutritional values are cornerstones in supporting informed choice. Thus, EuroFIR believes that food information should be compulsory for all alcoholic beverages, irrespective of alcohol volume. Finally, based on widely recognised scientific evidence on the harmful effects of excess alcohol consumption, EuroFIR supports exploration of the relevance and need for health warnings about alcohol consumption on the labels of alcoholic beverages.

Regarding blue economy, according to latest available data, in 2019 across Europe, 376 companies produced algae for human and animal consumption. In the EU, around 4000 people work in algae biomass production and even more in algae-related economic activities. While data on the European production of seaweeds is well-reported, information about European microalgae production is not comprehensive. There are regulatory, knowledge, and market gaps as well as an unfavourable business environment including social barriers, which contribute to the under-exploitation of EU algae and blue bioeconomy sectors.

Overall, EuroFIR welcomes increased sustainable production, safe consumption, and innovative use of algae and algae-based products. More specifically, that standardisation of algae product specifications as well as improved labelling (harmonisation) are both necessary to achieve sustainable production and to inform consumers. Of equally importance is closing of knowledge, research, and innovation gaps to support sustainable production and benefit consumers, protect the environment, and boost European commercial sector competitiveness, as exemplified by SEAFOODTOMORROW outputs in the fish and seafood sector. Furthermore, based on widely recognised scientific evidence on the devastating and irreversible effects of unsustainable algae production, the EC should explore the relevance and need for algae information (e.g., searchable databases), as a control mechanism against bad practices, and to support FAIRification (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) of food, nutrition, and health data.

Are there any public consultations you would like us to participate in? Have a look! Or, have your say!