GRAPHICS – The consumer association UFC-Que Choisir published on Monday a study that denounces the lack of transparency in industrial labeling of processed products. And advanced as bad students, Sodebo, Father Dodu also Leader Price and Casino.
Three years after the scandal lasagne horse meat, the industrial practices do not seem to have changed. In his study published on Monday, consumer association UFC-Que Choisir has scrutinized the labels of 245 common foods based on meat (beef, pork and chicken), 13 national brand stores and seven supermarkets. It denounces the lack of transparency on the origin of the meat used in processed food, and gives names.
“We conducted a study just after the scandal in 2012. We were already doing a failure voluntary commitments by industry, “says Olivier Andrault responsible for food Mission to the UFC-Que Choisir. Of the three observed meats, chicken wins the prize of opacity, with 74% of the products do not indicate the country of origin of the meat, the study said. Pork took second place (57%), followed by beef (30%). All categories is even more of a product in two (54%) which ignores the labeling.
The Gauls, Charal, Mary, Findus and Zapetti, good students
The sandwiches are the most likely to not play the game of transparency: from products to chicken, 92 % do not bear the origin of meat on their labels. The same applies to pork products, where 92% of ham sandwiches do not give information. For beef, bolognese sauces are the most opaque in terms of origin, with 50% failing the origin of the meat. And among the labeled products, it is in 98% of cases the indication “French origin”. “This is brand policy, said the adviser. The terms “guarantee traceability” or “carefully selected” do not mean anything. “
Among the domestic brands, Le Gaulois, Charal, Mary, Findus and Zapetti are first class, with 100% their products indicating the origin of meat on packaging. At the bottom of the table, Sodebo, Father Dodu and Daunat rank dead last with 0% … products indicating the origin of the meat. As for private labels, Intermarché takes first place with 84% of its products that contain the information, followed by Carrefour (57%) and Système U (48%). Casino (24%) and Leader Price (23%) rank at the bottom of the table
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“margin race”
A lack of information that penalizes consumers, says UFC-Que Choisir, which is due to a blockage at European level. “It is unacceptable that consumers do not have access to this information, adds Olivier Andrault. A Member State shall require an industrial to indicate the origin of meat, it is necessary that the European Commission is moving. ” The consumer association therefore calls for the adoption of “regulations on mandatory labeling of national origin in processed products.” In the coming weeks, the Commission should vote on a draft resolution, said the association.
The UFC-Que Choisir denounces the argument used by the industry, the additional cost could lead to higher traceability. “Enter this information on the label is only a surcharge of 0.7%, or 1.5 cents for a tray of lasagna, launches Olivier Andrault. Manufacturers say it’s complicated. The real reason is that it is a race to the margin. The priority is not the quality but the lowest prices on the world market. ” “The indication of origin provides a significant competitive advantage for companies and brands who will tell.”
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industrial side, we do not say no to the obligation to indicate the indication of origin, provided that it does not penalize companies. “Many national brands category leaders now offer this information to consumers, says the National Association of Food Industries (ANIA). We believe this momentum will naturally be induced to strengthen. ” As for the impact on the competitiveness of the sector, it should be evaluated in the medium term, says the association. “The agricultural and food sectors in France contribute positively to the trade balance of France, she says. We export vast majority of our agricultural and food products with our European neighbors “
VIDEO -.” No progress on transparency, “says Cedric Musso, director political action at UFC-Que Choisir <. / strong>
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