Foodstuffs: labelling, presentation and advertising (amend. Directive 79/112/EEC)

When adopting an addendum to the report by Mrs Langenhagen (PPE, D), the European Parliament explained in particular that the labelling rules for ingredients in beverages with an alcoholic strength of more than 1.2% by volume are applicable within two years of the entry into force of the directive. The sale of products not conforming to the directive within 24 months of its entry into force (48 months for all beverages with an alcoholic content of over 1.2% by volume) is prohibited. The Commission is to report to the European Parliament on any anomalies and derogations to the directive within three years. Member States must ensure that they prohibit foodstuffs being offered for sale in their territories if the information specified in Article 3 and Article 4(2) does not appear in the official language or languages of the Member State where the product is offered for sale, unless other steps are taken to inform purchasers. Foodstuffs, processing aids and flavourings produced or constituted by genetically modified organisms must be shown in the list of ingredients and marked to indicate that they have been produced by genetic engineering methods or contain genetically modified organisms. �