EU Amends the Breakfast Directive, Impacting Honey, Fruit Juice, Jam and Dairy Products

On May 24, 2024, the European Union (EU) issued Directive (EU) 2024/1438¹ (hereinafter “This Directive”) to amend the following directives:

1. Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey;

2. Council Directive 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption;

3. Council Directive 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption;

4. Council Directive 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption.

Many of the revisions are primarily raised based on the Green Deal and the "Farm to Fork Strategy". These amendments aim to support consumers in making informed, healthy, and sustainable food choices by enhancing labeling requirements, enabling specific statements, and promoting the reduction of sugar content in products. Additionally, certain outdated regulations have been modified or removed to make way for more up-to-date and efficient regulations. The Directive will be enforced 20 days after its publication.

Key Revisions

1. Revisions on Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey

• The labeling of the country of origin

Stricter requirements have been introduced, mandating the indication of countries of origin in descending order, along with their respective percentages. Besides, additional labeling considerations have been addressed, such as the labeling method for products blended with more than four different countries of origin and packages containing less than 30 grams of honey.

• Anti-adulteration: analysis method and traceability system
  

To combat fraudulent practices, e.g., the use of difficult-to-detect sugar syrups, the EU aims to establish harmonized methods of analysis for detecting adulterated honey products by June 14, 2028. Moreover, new traceability requirements will be introduced for honey products to ensure accurate information regarding their origin and authenticity.

• Removal of the concept of “filtered honey”

Recognizing the term “filtered honey” is misunderstood by consumers, this term is removed from this Directive to ensure accurate information available for consumers. Relevant provisions are revised accordingly.

2. Revision on Council Directive 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption

• Statement on naturally occurring sugars

In response to growing consumer concerns regarding sugar consumption, the EU Directive allows for the voluntary use of the statement "fruit juices contain only naturally occurring sugars." This provision aims to provide consumers with accurate information about the nutritional characteristics of the product, enabling them to make informed choices. Additionally, this statement serves as a helpful tool for distinguishing between fruit juices and fruit nectars. By incorporating this voluntary statement, the EU aims to address consumer needs and promote healthier beverage options.

• The addition of three categories for fruit juice

With increasing consumer demand for low-sugar options, many enterprises have introduced fruit juices and fruit juices from concentrate that have undergone technical processes to remove or reduce naturally occurring sugars. To facilitate trade, these products can be sold in the EU as per this Directive; however, they are not allowed to be labeled as "fruit juice," "concentrated fruit juice," or "fruit juice from concentrate." Instead, they can be marketed as “reduced-sugar fruit juice”, “reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate” or “concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice”.

To ensure the consistency with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, the reduction of sugar content should be at least 30 % compared to an average type of fruit juice, fruit juice from concentrate and concentrated fruit juice which it comes from, respectively. New categories are added into Annex I of Directive 2001/112/EC, as well as their corresponding authorized ingredients and authorized processes and substances.

• Others

1. To encourage product reformulation and reduce sugar content, the proportion of added sugars or honey in fruit nectars, particularly those with low acidity and palatability, should be decreased.

2. In response to their increased usage, proteins from sunflower seeds have been added to the list of authorized treatments and substances in Annex I.

3. Coconut water has been recognized as a particular designation and added to Annex III. Additionally, since coconut juice from concentrate can be obtained by reconstituting concentrated coconut juice with potable water, a minimum Brix level for this product has been defined in Annex V.

4. By no later than 14 June 2027, the Commission will present a report to the European Parliament and the Council assessing the feasibility of different options for labeling indicating the country or countries of origin.

3. Council Directive 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption

• Minimum fruit content

The minimum quantity of fruit to be used in the manufacture of jams and jellies laid down in Annex I to Directive 2001/113/EC is increased. Revisions regarding jams are listed below.

Table 1: The minimum quantity of pulp and/or purée used for the manufacture of 1 000 g of finished jam product

• Others
  

1. Member States are to allow the use of the term 'marmalade' as the product name for jams made from fruits other than citrus fruits within their territories.

2. Where specific juices are allowed for use in the different categories of jam, extra jam, jelly and extra jelly, they can be used in concentrated form.

3. By no later than June 14 2027, the Commission is required to submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council evaluating the feasibility of various options for indicating the country or countries of origin on product labels.

4. Revision on Council Directive 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption.

• This directive authorizes a treatment to reduce the level of lactose in milk products to respond consumers’ needs.

• The specific designation for the term 'evaporated milk' in Annex II of the directive should align with the international standards outlined in the Codex Standard for evaporated milks (CXS 281-1971) to ensure consistency.

Transitions measures

Member States shall transpose this Directive into national law by December 14, 2025 and apply those measures from June 14, 2026.

Read the official text for more details.