Last week we wrote an open letter to the Expo Commissioner, Giuseppe Sala, requesting the removal of a sign displayed at the Malaysia pavilion, which theorized the absurd opposition to European law of legitimate indications such as 'palm oil free' on food labels. The Commissioner did not have time to answer us, perhaps due to more significant issues that have meanwhile arisen in Milan, and in any case the sign has been removedWe have verified it today, on the occasion of a visit that however allowed us to discover other problems.
The Malaysia pavilion dedicates an entire space to the promotion of palm oil. A promotion that is understandable in itself, given that much of the territory of that country has been deforested to produce palm. To the point of forcing local producers to look for new forests to 'convert' into intensive mono-cultures of palm oil, outside national borders. It is however curious – and indeed unacceptable – that those who dared to invoke opposition to European law on a simple label phrase, such as 'palm oil free', come toboast the most unlikely health virtues associated with palm oil consumption, in the most blatant violation of current EU criteria.
‘... Prevents Heart Attacks', '... Anti-Cancer Properties', 'Easy to digest', 'Helps increase beneficial HDL cholesterol'. But we are joking??? The EC Regulation 1924/06, on nutritional and health claims that can be used in food advertising, is strict in prohibiting any reference to diseases. Heart attacks and cancer are not mentioned. The so-called 'health claims' on digestive functions, antioxidants, and interaction with blood cholesterol, in turn, may only be admitted if based on double-blind placebo-controlled clinical studies on healthy individuals, published in high 'impactfactor' and subjected to 'peer review', after evaluation by AEuropean Food Safety Authority and authorization of the European Commission.
‘Cholesterol Free’, ‘Trans-Fat Free’The aforementioned European regulation provides in Attachment a strict list of only the nutritional indications allowed in Europe, the communication methods, and the conditions that a food must meet to qualify for a so-called ‘nutrition claim’. It is forbidden to refer to cholesterol in the product, to avoid consumer misunderstanding with blood cholesterol. It is also prohibited to refer to so-called ‘Trans-Fatty Acids’ (TFA). Indeed, cholesterol and trans fatty acids – unlike monounsaturated fatty acids (of which olive oil is rich) andpolyunsaturated fatty acids (typical of seed oils) – are excluded from voluntary information in nutritional labeling.
‘Balanced Saturated Fat Profile’, ‘Nutritional Well-being’, ‘Rich in Carotenoids, pro-vitamin A’It is misleading, as well as illegal, to refer to a hypothetical ‘balance of saturated fats’. What does this statement mean for the consumer? Perhaps that they should prefer palm-based margarine over butter? And why, on what scientific basis? As for the alleged ‘nutritional well-being’, as with any generic claim that in any way implies a favorable relationship between the consumption of a food and health, it is necessary that the product possesses the characteristics, and actually displays on the label a‘Nutritional or health claim’ compliant with EC regulation 1924/06. Regarding the alleged richness in carotenoids, it would be interesting to learn the values on the refined oil that ends up on our tables as a food ingredient.
In relation to all of the above, only one doubt arises. To whom to write the next open letter, to the already burdened Expo Commissioner or to other authorities responsible for consumer protection?
Dario Dongo
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT – Food Times) and Égalité.
