President signs law on food labeling requirements

The Ukrainian parliament adopted the law on December 6, 2018.

The document establishes general principles and requirements for information about food products, in particular regarding their labeling, as well as the obligations of market operators to bring these data to consumers.

In particular, the law prohibits the use of information that may mislead consumers. In particular, it is forbidden to attribute medicinal properties to food products. Consumers are to be informed about allergens and food products that are sold remotely, about the use in a food product of refined vegetable oils or fats of vegetable origin, in particular palm oil. In addition, the law obliges market operators to provide consumers with information on whether a food product has been exposed to freezing or defrosting.

The adopted law is aimed at bringing Ukrainian legislation into line with Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 25, 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.