This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Traceability of pre-packaged foods
SUMMARY OF:
Directive 2011/91/EU on indications or marks identifying the lot to which a foodstuff belongs
SUMMARY
WHAT DOES THIS DIRECTIVE DO?
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It makes sure that consumers can trace the origin of pre-packaged foods.
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It requires these foods to be labelled so that consumers can see which lot they come from.
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It ensures that public health and food safety authorities can find out the origin and identity of pre-packaged foods in the event that these are the subject of a dispute or are a health hazard for consumers.
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It sets out rules for producers, manufacturers, packagers and importers for labelling these foods using a common lot identification system.
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KEY POINTS
Scope
The Directive applies to all pre-packaged foods apart from:
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agricultural products which are:
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foods that are not prepackaged when on sale to the final consumer, are packaged at the purchaser's request or prepackaged for immediate sale;
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packaging or containers whose largest side is less than 10cm2;
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individual portions of ice cream packaged together, where the lot identification must appear on the outside of the combined package.
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Labelling of lots
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Each lot must be labelled by the producer, manufacturer or packager, or the first seller based within the EU if it is imported.
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The lot identification must be preceded by the letter ‘L’ except if is clearly distinguishable from the other information on the label.
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The information on the label must be easily visible, clearly legible and indelible.
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There is no need to indicate the lot if the ‘use by’ date appears on the label.
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FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?
It has applied since 5 January 2012.
KEY TERM
* Lot: a batch of sales units of a foodstuff produced, manufactured or packaged under practically the same conditions
ACT
Directive 2011/91/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on indications or marks identifying the lot to which a foodstuff belongs (OJ L 334, 16.12.2011, pp. 1–5)
last update 23.11.2015