In January 2024, the European Parliament and the European Council reached an agreement to revise the Breakfast Directives, which include marketing standards for honey, fruit juice, jam, and milk. The directive mandates origin labeling for honey, with countries of origin listed in descending order of their percentage on the label. For packages under 30g, country abbreviations will use two ISO letters. A harmonized method to detect adulteration in honey is being developed by the EU, along with a working group to combat honey counterfeiting.
For fruit juices, the revision introduces three new low-sugar categories: low-sugar fruit juice, low-sugar fruit juice from concentrate, and concentrated low-sugar fruit juice. Fruit juice labels can now state "contains only natural sugars," to differentiate from fruit nectars. The minimum fruit content in jams is increased to 450 grams/kg for regular jam and to 500 grams/kg for additional jam. The term "marmalade" can now be used synonymously with jam.
Milk labeling is simplified, removing the distinction between "evaporated" and "condensed" milk, aligning with Codex Alimentarius standards. Lactose-free dehydrated milk is also authorized. The EU Commission is assigned to evaluate fruit origin labeling in juices and jams over the next three years. Following the finalization of the directive's details, Member States will have 18 months to incorporate the provisions into national law, with a further six months before EU-wide application, starting 20 days after the directive's publication.
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