Directive (EU) 2024/1438

to revise the so-called ‘breakfast directives’ to better address consumer needs and sustainability. PROPOSED ACT: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: the so-called ‘Breakfast Directives’ are a set of seven directives laying down common rules on the composition, sale name, labelling and presentation of certain foodstuffs in order to protect the interests of consumers and ensure the free movement of these products in the internal market. The European Parliament adopted by 522 votes to 13, with 65 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey, 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption, 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption, and 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption. The matter was referred back to the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations. Each honey marketed with a different identification than that of the beekeeper should have an identifier code linked to a traceability system that allows the competent authorities of Member States to trace back the entire supply chain of a given honey to beekeepers. The country of origin where the honey has been harvested should be indicated on the label. If the honey has been harvested in one country only, that country should be indicated on the front-of-pack label close to the product brand name. If the honey consists of a blend of honeys harvested in several countries , the list of the countries of origin should be indicated on the front-of-pack label in descending order of quantity. For packs containing more than 30g, the percentage share in weight for each country of origin should be indicated on the label using one of the following ranges: For packs containing 30g or less, the percentage share in weight for each country of origin may be indicated on the label using one of the following ranges: Members also stipulated that an EU reference laboratory for honey should be established to improve controls and to detect adulteration in honey through systematic testing of honey, using the latest test methods to prove the authenticity and quality of honey. The Commission should adopt, through delegated acts, a harmonised methodology to determine the precise origins of honey and honey authenticity. This methodology should, by means of laboratory testing or any other method deemed appropriate, enable competent authorities to trace honey back to its country or countries of origin and shall allow detection of the lowest possible levels and all types of adulteration in order to ascertain honey authenticity. The country of origin of the fruit used to manufacture the juice shall be indicated on the front-label. If the fruit used originates in more than one country, the countries of origin shall be…

Official title: Directive (EU) 2024/1438 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey, 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption, 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption, and 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption

Summary extracted from the European Parliament's own per-stage procedure record. Data © European Union (Decision 2011/833/EU). Methodology.