This is the second #ConsumerDebates that BEUC organises to discuss ongoing and upcoming policy developments.

This event is over. Recording is available here.

About this event:

As Europe continues to battle the serious impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of citizens’ health and well-being has been thrown into sharp relief. With 1 in 2 EU adults either overweight or obese and therefore more prone to heart disease and diabetes, it is high time the healthy food choice be made easier for consumers. Yet spotting the healthier options in the supermarket is no easy task.

Front-of-pack nutrition labelling has been identified as one tool to help consumers make healthier choices. The European Commission have committed to propose a mandatory EU-wide front-of-pack label by end of 2022. But there is an ongoing debate as to which label this should be.

Nutri-Score — supported by BEUC — is being increasingly endorsed by Member States and used in some. But several aspects have ignited debate in Europe. Should a label be mandatory or voluntary? Should it give an overall score or information on individual nutrients? Which label do consumers understand best?

This event will touch upon these questions, as the German Presidency are working on Council conclusions on food labelling for adoption in December.

When? 10 November (14:00-15:30pm)

Programme

Introduction

• 14:00-14:03: Welcome by Moderator Dave Keating
• 14:03-14:05: Introductory remarks, Monique Goyens, BEUC Director General

What is the Nutri-Score?

• 14:05-14:12: Professor Mike Rayner, University of Oxford

What do consumer organisations think about it?

• 14:12-14:30:
  - Olivier Andrault, UFC-Que Choisir, France
  - Nelleke Polderman, Consumentenbond, The Netherlands
  - Franca Braga, Altroconsumo, Italy
  - Anne Markwardt,vzbv, Germany

14:30-14:50: Question and Answer Session

The Private Sector’s View: A tool to make products healthier?

• 14:50-14:55: Retailer: Katrien Vanbiesen, Delhaize
• 14:55-15:00: Food Company: Bart Vandewaetere, Nestlé

Towards an EU-wide nutritional label: What comes next?

• 15:00-15:05: Sabine Pelsser, European Commission DG Sante

15:05-15:30:  Question and Answer Session