New EU labeling regulations for fruit juices and breakfast products: what changes for consumers and producers

The European Fruit Juice Directive, originally introduced in 2012, serves as the cornerstone for ensuring high standards of safety and quality in fruit juices. It includes precise rules on composition, nature, and authorized production processes, as well as providing consumers with comprehensive information.

The latest revision represents a true innovation, addressing key aspects such as sugar reduction, the inclusion of new categories, and the modernization of production practices.

To promote healthier dietary choices, a new category of products has been created:

• Reduced sugar fruit juices.
• Reduced sugar fruit juices from concentrate.
• Reduced sugar concentrated fruit juices.

These products can only be labeled as such if at least 30% of the natural sugars have been removed, without compromising the essential characteristics of the juice. This change aligns with the EU's Farm to Fork strategy, which encourages balanced diets.

One of the major challenges is the lack of consumer awareness that fruit juices do not contain added sugars. The revision allows the voluntary use of the statement “Fruit juices contain only natural sugars”, thereby increasing transparency.

Reflecting new consumer trends, coconut juice has been added to Annex V of the directive, with a specified Brix level of 4.5. Additionally, coconut water is now recognized as a synonym for coconut juice.

Plant-based proteins derived from wheat, peas, potatoes, and sunflower seeds are now approved for the clarification of fruit juices. This update aligns with contemporary production practices, offering more sustainable solutions suitable for different food types.

Once the directive is formally adopted by the Council and comes into force, the European Commission will develop additional delegated acts. Among the priorities will be:

• The labeling of the origin of the fruits used in the juices.
• Analysis methods to ensure compliance with the new standards.

AIJN has already reaffirmed its commitment to responsible collaboration with European institutions, aiming to promote consumer health and sector sustainability.

The new regulations will directly impact several areas:

• For producers, new strategies will be needed to adapt production processes and labels to meet the updated regulations, especially for the new categories of reduced sugar products.
• For consumers, these regulations offer greater transparency, helping them make more informed choices and encouraging them to opt for healthier and more sustainable products.

The new EU regulations for fruit juices represent a significant shift for the entire food sector. They modernize legislation, promote public health, and respond to increasing demands for transparency and sustainability.

Tenco, with its expertise in packaging and solutions for the food sector, is ready to support producers and businesses in implementing these updates, offering state-of-the-art technologies to ensure quality and compliance with the new standards.

Stay updated on our blog for further insights and innovative solutions!