06.08.2019

On August 6, 2019, Ukraine began to apply new rules for the labeling of food and nutrition. The relevant law On information for consumers about food was adopted by the parliament on December 6, 2018.

Manufacturers have three years to fully transition to new requirements.

Thus, the requirements for product labeling are brought into line with the Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers.

According to new rules, information about the food product must be accurate, reliable and understandable to consumer.

Information about a food product should not be misleading, namely about:

– product characteristics: property, composition, quantity, shelf life, country of origin or place of origin, production method;

– attribution to a food product of unusual properties or consequences of consumption;

– special characteristics of the food product, in particular by emphasizing the presence or absence of certain ingredients and/or nutrients;

– designing the appearance of the product, description or graphic images about the presence in the product of a particular component or ingredient, if in fact it is replaced by another component or ingredient.

In addition, product information should not indicate properties that contribute to the prevention or treatment of diseases (except for natural mineral waters and foods for special medical purposes).

Information should be provided in Ukrainian. Trademarks may be indicated in the form in which they are granted the legal protection in Ukraine.

These requirements apply to advertising, appearance, and packaging of food products.