Dietetic foods: approximation of the laws of the Member States (amend. Directive 89/398/EEC)

The Council's common position differs substantially from the Commission's proposal but takes into consideration, on several points, suggestions made and concerns expressed by Parliament. Thus, the Council adopted the amendment stipulating that the aims of harmonizing national provisions on foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses were to protect the consumer on the one hand, and on the other, to respect free movement of goods. The common position replaces the category of foods for diabetics with 'sports' foods in the list of foods for weight control which will be provided for in specific directives. Moreover, as requested by Parliament, it indicates that the adoption of a specific directive on diabetic foods will be subject to the conclusions of a Commission report, to be presented to the Council and Parliament, on whether there should be special provisions for this group of products. The common position does not include the category of gluten-free foods. However, the Council takes some of Parliament's wishes into consideration by laying down specific provisions on labelling for gluten-free foodstuffs and low-sodium foods. Finally, as regards foodstuffs intended for young children, the Council accepted, in principle, the substance of the amendments relating to the use of no harmful substances. �