The Ministry of Health of Ukraine adopted yet another document in the sphere of food safety, contributing to the European integration in this sphere, – Order #1145, which provides requirements for usage of nutrition and health claims of food products.
The Order touches upon claims used in labeling, advertising, and accompanying documents in order to inform consumer on certain features of food products. For example, “low-calorie”, “fat-free”, “light”, “low sugars” belong to nutrition claims, while information on the positive impact of calcium, vitamin C, fiber – to health claims. They can be used by the manufacturer or importer of food products only if specific requirements are met, which also must be confirmed by laboratory or appropriate calculations. Thus, information on the content of vitamins in a food product may be used only if the indicators of their content complies with provisions approved in the annexes to the Order #1145.
This approach, which meets the requirements of Regulation (EC) #1924/2006, will ensure consumers’ awareness and minimize the risk of consumer’s misleading or misinterpreting information on food products.
The Order enters into force since its official publication, yet establishing a 3-years transition period for adaptation to European regulation and gradual renewal of labeling.
Experts of the member companies of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (the Chamber) were engaged in drafting the Order. Thus, the Chamber welcomes its approval and expresses gratitude to the Ministry of Health for its leadership and active position regarding the development of national food legislation.
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