The obligation to indicate the origin of wheat for durum wheat semolina pasta, the origin of rice and tomatoes in processed products has been extended until 31 December 2021.
The Ministers of Economic Development, Stefano Patuanelli, and of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, Teresa Bellanova, signed the ministerial decree which extends the national provisions in force even beyond April 1st, the date of entry into application of European regulation 775 of 2018.
"Italy," Ministers Patuanelli and Bellanova said, "is confirmed as being at the forefront in Europe for the transparency of consumer information on the label. We cannot think of steps back on this matter and for this reason we have decided to move forward.
"We give certainties to companies in three key sectors for Italian agri-food. We also ask Europe to make courageous choices in the context of the Green Deal and the "Farm to Fork" strategy, introducing at European level the obligation to indicate the origin for all foods.
"We ask the Commission once again to meet the demands of companies, which today have to deal with the damage caused by coronavirus, and to postpone the application of regulation 775 for at least a year. A rule that we do not like and which today , with so many companies producing closed packaging in Europe, it is difficult to adapt ".
What can be found on Italian labels
Wheat / Paste
The wheat / pasta decree stipulates that the dry pasta packages produced in Italy must continue to have the following indications on the label:
a. Wheat cultivation country: name of the country in which the wheat is grown;
b. Milling country: name of the country where the wheat was ground.
If these phases take place in the territory of several countries, the following terms may be used, depending on the origin: EU countries, NON-EU countries, EU and NON-EU countries;
c. if durum wheat is cultivated at least 50% in a single country, such as Italy, the wording can be used: "Italy and other EU and / or non-EU countries".
Rice
The provision provides that the following must continue to be indicated on the rice label:
a. "Rice cultivation country";
b. "Country of processing";
c. "Country of packaging".
If the three phases take place in the same country, it is possible to use the wording "Origin of rice: Italy".
Also for rice, if these phases take place in the territory of several countries, the following indications may be used, depending on the origin: EU countries, non-EU countries, EU and non-EU countries.
Tomato
The packs of tomato derivatives, sauces and sauces produced in Italy must continue to have the following indications on the label:
a. Tomato growing country: name of the country in which the tomato is grown;
b. Tomato processing country: name of the country in which the tomato was processed.
If these phases occur in the territory of several countries, the following wordings can be used, depending on the origin: EU countries, NON-EU countries, EU and NON-EU countries.
If all the operations take place in our country, the wording "Origin of the tomato: Italy" can be used.
Origin visible on the label
The indications on the origin must be affixed on the label in an evident point and in the same visual field in order to be easily recognizable, clearly legible and indelible. ■