Associating manufacturers, distributors and consumer associations, the approach for better transparency of the origin of processed food products has just been officially launched by the State.
The Minister Delegate for Business, of Tourism and Consumption met on March 13 in Bercy, on the occasion of the Transparency Meetings, representatives of manufacturers and distributors, as well as several consumer defense associations, In order to improve information on the origin of processed food products. During this meeting, The milestones of a collective and voluntary approach baptized origin-info were laid in order to reach, By May 2024, to specifications as well as a logo for an experiment by July-August 2024. The origin of the products, Like the price, is a major criterion for consumers in their purchasing decision : More than eight in ten French people find it important to have this information*. This high demand joins an opinion issued by the National Consumer Council (CNC) in September 2021, which recommends strengthen voluntary devices to indicate the origin of food products, so that it is clearer and more understandable for consumers, without misleading them.
The specifications under writing
Olivia Grégoire was committed to bringing together the main industrial professional federations (Adepale, ANIA, FEEF, Ilec, Agricultural cooperation), the Federation of Commerce and Distribution and Large Distribution Signs (Aldi, Auchan, Carrefour, Casino Monoprix, Franprix, Intermarché Les Mousquetaires, E.Leclerc, Lidl, U system), In the presence of four consumer defense associations (CLCV, Rural families, Foodwatch, UFC-Que Choisir) and the collective in truth. The exchanges made it possible to confirm the main principles of the approach which is voluntary and collective. Participants agreed to appoint the “Origin-Info” approach and undertook to work, With the support of Olivia Grégoire, to specifications as well as a logo, which will be revealed by May 2024. Consumers will be stakeholders in this selection since they will be consulted to choose the logo. In the longer term, This project will be led by France at European level within the framework of the modification of the regulations concerning the information of consumers on foodstuffs (INCO), from next year.
Clear information of an informed choice
Olivia Gregoire : "Better inform the consumer about the origin of processed food products that he buys, give it all the necessary information and not just part of them, It is to allow the consumer to choose with full knowledge of the facts. I salute the commitment of all companies, Distributors as industrialists, who are found today in this initiative to promote greater transparency on the origin of processed food products. »»
* Appinio study for in truth, The French and the display of the origin of food products, October 2023.
