Bellanova and Patuanelli: "Go ahead with transparency, mandatory origin is needed for all foods in Europe"

The obligation to indicate the origin of wheat for durum wheat semolina pasta, the origin of rice and tomatoes in processed products has been extended until 31 December 2021.

The Ministers of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, Teresa Bellanova, and Economic Development, Stefano Patuanelli, signed today the ministerial decree which extends the national provisions in force beyond April 1, the date of entry into application of the European regulation 775 of 2018 .

“Italy - declared Ministers Bellanova and Patuanelli - confirms itself to be at the forefront in Europe for the transparency of consumer information on the label. We cannot think of steps back on this matter and for this reason we have decided to move forward. We give certainties to companies in three key sectors for the Italian agri-food sector. We also ask Europe to make courageous choices within the Green Deal and the 'Farm to Fork' strategy, introducing at European level the obligation to indicate the origin for all foods. We ask the Commission once again to meet the demands of companies, which today have to deal with the damage caused by COVID-19, and to postpone the application of regulation 775 for at least a year. A rule that we do not like and which today , with so many companies producing closed packaging in Europe, it is difficult to adapt ".

WHAT IS ON ITALIAN LABELS

WHEAT / PASTE

The wheat / pasta decree stipulates that the dry pasta packages produced in Italy must continue to have the following indications on the label:

1. Wheat cultivation country: name of the country in which the wheat is grown;
2. Milling country: name of the country where the wheat was ground. If these phases take place in the territory of several countries, the following terms may be used, depending on the origin: EU countries, NON-EU countries, EU and NON-EU countries;
3. if the durum wheat is cultivated at least 50% in a single country, such as Italy, the words "Italy and other EU and / or non-EU countries" can be used.

RICE

The provision states that the following must continue to be indicated on the rice label:

1. "Rice cultivation country";
2. "Country of processing";
3. "Country of packaging".

If the three phases take place in the same country it is possible to use the words "Origin of rice: Italy".

Also for rice, if these phases occur in the territory of several countries, the following entries may be used, depending on the source: EU countries, non EU countries, EU countries and non-EU countries.

TOMATO

The packs of tomato derivatives, sauces and sauces produced in Italy must continue to have the following indications on the label:

1. Tomato growing country: name of the country in which the tomato is grown;
2. Tomato processing country: name of the country in which the tomato was processed.

If these phases occur in the territory of several countries, the following entries may be used, depending on the country of origin: EU countries, non EU countries, EU countries and non-EU countries.

If all operations take place in our country, the term "Tomato Origin: Italy" may be used.

VISIBLE ORIGIN IN LABEL

The indications on the origin must be affixed on the label in an evident point and in the same visual field in order to be easily recognizable, clearly legible and indelible.

Labeling, Mipaaf and Mise: signed extension for mandatory origin for pasta, rice and tomato derivatives