Fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption

The European Parliament adopted by 585 votes to 33, with 11 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of an agreement negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They amend the proposal as follows:

Taking into account international standards: in order to protect the interests of consumers and to enhance the free movement of fruit juices and certain similar products within the European Union, Council Directive 2001/112/EC of 20 relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption has laid down specific provisions regarding production, composition and labelling of the products concerned. Those rules should be adapted to technical progress and should, as far as possible, take account of developments in relevant international standards, in particular the Codex Standard for fruit juices and nectars (Codex Stan 247-2005). The Codex Standard establishes, in particular, quality factors and labelling requirements for fruit juices and similar products.

Labelling: specific provisions of Directive 2001/112/EC on the labelling of fruit juices and similar products are amended to reflect the new rules on authorised ingredients, such as those pertaining to the addition of sugars, which are no longer authorised in fruit juices. For other products, added sugars should continue to be labelled in accordance with Directive 2000/13/EC.

The nutrition claim ‘with no added sugars’: this claim has been used in relation to fruit juice for a very long time. In the light of the new compositional requirements for fruit juices provided for in this Directive, its disappearance from one day to the next after the transitional period might not allow an immediate clear distinction between fruit juices and other drinks in terms of the addition of sugars in the products, which would be detrimental to the fruit juices sector.  Consequently, the amended text makes provision, for a limited time, to enable the industry to inform consumers properly.

The statement ‘from … ++ no fruit juices contain added sugars’ may appear on the label in the same field of vision as the name of products until four years and six months from the entry into force of the Directive ++.

Transitional period: in order to allow Member States to adopt national laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive, a transposition period of 18 months should be established. During that period the requirements of Directive 2001/112/EC without the amendments introduced by this Directive should remain applicable.

In order to take into account the interests of economic operators who place on the market or label their products in accordance with the requirements applicable before the application of the national provisions transposing this Directive, the amended text states that these products may continue to be marketed until three years from the date of entry into force of this Directive.

Delegated acts: in order to bring the Annexes to Directive 2001/112/EC into line with developments in relevant international standards and to take into account technical progress, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amending the Annexes to Directive 2001/112/EC, with the exception of Part I of Annex I, and of Annex II.

A transposition period of 18 months should be established for this Directive.