Is country of origin labelling a question of sustainability? Europeans want to know more about where their food comes from. Would mandatory country of origin labelling mean consumers make more sustainable food choices?
The European Commission is working on a proposal that could see mandatory origin labelling extended to more food products across the bloc.
Some stakeholders have interpreted this potential increase in regulation a triumph for sustainability, and an opportunity for responsible famers to create value.
Others, however, are wary of associating origin labelling with sustainability. They argue that suggesting a link is ‘mixing up concepts’, and that ‘locally-produced’ does not necessarily mean ‘more environmentally-friendly’.
Insect meal producer Protix attracts over US$18m in investment Dutch insect protein producer, Protix, has generated €15.5m (US$18.5m) in a new funding round, with the investment set to support the next leg of its development.
Existing shareholders Aqua-Spark, Rabo Corporate Investments and the Brabrant Development Company (BOM) participated in the latest round, and Dutch investment agency, Invest-NL, advanced €7.5m in capital as a new investor.
“With this funding round, Protix can further optimize production capacity and accelerate its international expansion,” said the company that breeds larvae from the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) and processes them into ingredients like proteins and lipids for use in feed.
Does Nutri-Score discriminate against traditional foods? One of Europe’s most popular front-of-pack nutrition labels has been criticised for discriminating against foods that are traditional, single-ingredient, protected by geographical indications, or all of the above.
Nutri-Score was first developed in France in 2017. In just three short years, the front-of-pack (FOP) labelling scheme has become one the most popular amongst Member States and brands alike.
However, not all are in favour of the colourful, A to F-style algorithm. As the European Commission contemplates which style of mandatory, harmonised FOP scheme will be rolled out in 2022, those who argue Nutri-Score discriminates against traditional foods are making their point known.