The Ministry of Food and Forestry Policies has announced that Ministers Maurizio Martina and Carlo Calenda have signed the inter-ministerial decree to introduce the obligation to indicate the origin of tomato products, measures that introduce a two-year experimentation of a new labeling system, in the wake of the standard already in force for dairy products, pasta and rice. The decree will apply to derivatives such as tomato preserves and concentrate, as well as sauces and sauces that are composed of at least 50% tomato derivatives.
In this regard, Minister of Agriculture Maurizio Martina said:
“We strengthen the work done on labeling in recent months. As I reiterated today to the European Commissioner Andriukaitis, we believe that this choice should be extended to the European level, ensuring the full implementation of the European regulation 1169 of 2011. The issue of transparency of information to the consumer is a crucial point for the production system model we want. to sustain. Italy has decided not to wait and to ensure that citizens can know clearly the origin of the raw materials of the foods they consume. Especially in a strategic supply chain such as that of tomatoes, the label will help to strengthen the relationships between those who produce and those who process ”.
The indications on the origin must be affixed on the label in an evident point and in the same field of vision so as to be easily recognizable, clearly legible and indelible.
Specifically, the measure provides that packs of tomato, sauces and sauces produced in Italy must bear the following words on the label:
- Country of tomato cultivation: the name of the country in which the tomato is grown;
- Country of tomato processing: The name of the country where the tomato was transformed.
If all operations take place in our country, the term "Tomato Origin: Italy" may be used.
If all these phases happen in the territory of several countries, the following entries may be used, depending on their origin: EU countries, NON EU countries, EU countries and NON EU countries.
However, the measure provides for an adaptation phase for all companies to the new system and the complete disposal of labels and packagings already produced.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture