The GVH would introduce a labeling system showing environmental impact on foodstuffs
It would make it easier for consumers to make a conscious decision if food products were given a labeling system showing environmental impact, said the GVH’s chief economist in a podcast published by the Economic Competition Authority (GVH) on Friday.
According to Zsombor Berezvai, food manufacturers should publish the expected environmental impact for the entire life cycle of their product. According to current practice, only the place of origin and the recyclability of the packaging can be read on the packaging, the method of production and other important indicators are usually missing, he added.
Food policy analyst and sustainability consultant Réka Szöllősi noted that transport and packaging account for only 10 percent of the environmental impact. In itself, carbon dioxide emissions are not a determining factor either, at least as important as how much land is required to produce a product. All in all, almost a dozen circumstances should be taken into account, and although the sciences examining the environmental impact of food products are developing rapidly, there is still no uniform international standard for labeling them, and their development would probably also raise competition law issues – the expert believes.
Related news
GVH president: “Bureaucracy and overregulation are killing European competitiveness”
“Minimizing administrative barriers and creating a level playing field is…
Read more >The world’s first environmentally friendly milk is here
A small Tasmanian dairy, Ashgrove, has become the world’s first…
Read more >Lidl invests £1.5bn in British beef production
Lidl is beefing up its sustainability commitments with the launch…
Read more >Related news
Valeo Foods Completes Acquisition Of Appalaches Nature
Valeo Foods Group has completed the acquisition of Appalaches Nature,…
Read more >Carrefour grows in France and Brazil, lags behind in rest of Europe
Carrefour says it is rather pleased with its financial results…
Read more >Food and beverage innovation plunges nearly 50% since 2007: Mintel
The market research firm said about a quarter of items…
Read more >