FoodlabellinginGermanlanguage

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May 25, 2018 - Foods

FoodlabellinginGermanlanguage

Article 15, paragraph 1 of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 (FIC) stipulates that all mandatory information about food must be provided in a language that is easy to understand. In Germany, the German language is to be used as the only easily understandable language. This is particularly true for the designation of the food.

During its 80th working meeting, the ALTS addressed the question of which food designations can be considered part of the German language.

The published resolution establishes that a foreign-language designation of a food, which is common and simultaneously easy to understand in Germany, can be considered part of the German language.

Such designations are included, among others, in the guidelines of the German Food Book or in commodity knowledge lexicons.

However, the prerequisite is that there is a common understanding of the composition of the food labeled as such. It is not permissible to draw the conclusion that every listed foreign-language name is therefore also common.

Examples of permissible designations would be Bacon or Cheddar. Examples of non-permissible designations would be Gnocchi or Focaccia.

If you have any questions, our customer advisors are at your disposal. 

Source: ALTS resolutions of the 80th working meeting (www.bvl.bund.de)