Council strict on 'low fat' and 'sugar-free' claims 

EU health ministers unanimously adopted a common position on the draft regulation on nutrition and health claims  such as 'low fat' and 'sugar-free', used in the labelling, presentation and advertising of foods. The aim is to ensure the proper use of health claims as a marketing tool. Once the regulation is approved, the health claims need to be backed by scientific evidence before they are given marketing authorisation. 

The Health Council of 8-9 December 2005 also adopted, by a qualified majority, a common position on the draft regulation on the addition of vitamins, minerals and certain other substances to food . The aim of the regulation is to harmonise the rules on the issue at EU level and to ensure that foodstuffs on sale are safe and clearly labelled for consumers to make informed choices. 

A coalition of consumer and health groups states that the health claims dossier adopted by the Council "looks promising from a consumer protection and public health perspective".

Both dossiers will now return to Parliament for a second reading and are likely to be finally adopted in early 2006.