Dutch Choices Logo Receives National and EU Approval

16 Apr 2013 --- The Dutch version of the Choices logo (‘Vinkje’) is now confirmed as the single food choice logo for The Netherlands. Today marks the official record of the logo in the Dutch Food Nutrition Information Decree.

The authorisation is the first of its kind in the European Union, supported by the member states and the European Commission.

Pavel Telicka, chairman of the Choices International Foundation − governing body of the Choices logo − underlines the importance of this precedent: “The approval confirms the beneficial role a front-of-pack logo can have in public health. It strengthens consumer trust and recognises the efforts our participating companies have made in improving their product portfolio. In time, we hope that the Dutch example can contribute to a European framework for this type of claim.”

The Choices logo is a positive front-of-pack logo for food and beverage products. It takes into account the level of saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, added sugars, salt, and fibre, as compared with similar products within its category. This single statement about several nutrients is what sets apart a food choice logo from a standard nutrition claim, which only refers to the amount of energy or of one single nutrient. As there is no harmonised approach for such a claim in the regulation, member states are left with their own legislative power when providing for a food choice logo. The Netherlands is the first country to authorise the Choices logo this way.

The logo was presented to the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport for approval under a new legal article. The article and authorisation were notified to the European Commission by the Dutch Ministry, as required by the European Regulation (EC) on Nutrition and Health Claims made on Foods. The Commission issued a positive opinion after consultation of the other European Union member states. Consequently, the official approval of the logo as a nutrition claim followed.

“The authorisation shows how well public authorities and private sector can work together to achieve our common goal of preventing obesity and noncommunicable diseases. Public authorities have the power to strengthen proper multi stakeholder initiatives and have the responsibility to do so. Today, that enforcement was given to the public-private partnership that is the Choices Programme”, concludes Pavel Telicka.

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