Fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption

PURPOSE: to amend Council Directive 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption.

PROPOSED ACT: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASE: Article 43 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: Council Directive 2001/112/EC lays down rules governing the composition, use of reserved descriptions, manufacturing specifications and labelling of the products concerned, in order to ensure their free movement within the European Union.

This amendment of the directive, which amends Directive 2001/112/EC for the second time, is based on revised international standards, in particular the Codex Alimentarius for fruit juices and nectars (Codex Stan 247-2005) and the Code of Practice of the European Fruit Juice Association (AIJN).

This draft directive, which is technical in nature, reaffirms the distinction between fruit juice and fruit juice from concentrate, simplifies the provisions on the restitution of flavour and aroma, provides for the removal of sugar from the list of authorised ingredients and includes tomatoes in the list of fruits used for fruit juice production.

This proposed directive will take account, as of now, of the redefinition of the competences of the Commission (Articles 290/291 of the Treaty). Consequently, it will amend the current directive by including all implementing measures in the category of delegated acts.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the proposal has no implication for the Community budget.