Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002255/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christel Schaldemose (S&D)
In 2006, the EU adopted a regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods (EC No 1924/2006). A key feature of the agreement was that, by 2009, the Commission had to establish nutrient profiles – limits on how much sugar, salt and fat foods may contain above which they may not be marketed as ‘good for bones’ or as providing ‘immune system support’, for instance.
Today – 16 years later – there are still no nutrient profiles. This means that food producers can highlight a number of positive nutrients in a product, even if, overall, it is unhealthy. Breakfast cereals and yoghurt drinks with an extremely high sugar content are a case in point: health claims are nonetheless made for them on the front of packages.
This situation is misleading for consumers and undermines trust in health notices on foods. For years, the Commission has been promising to act; but nothing has been done.
- 1.How does the Commission account for the fact that nutrient profiles have not yet been established in spite of the fact that that has been a political commitment since 2009?
- 2.Does the Commission agree that it is problematic in terms of consumer protection and public health that foods that are high in sugar can continue to be marketed with health claims?
- 3.If the Commission does not intend to bring forward proposals on nutrient profiles, is it willing to take steps to do away with the possibility of making health claims on foods in the EU?
Submitted: 4.6.2025