June 20/London/Daily Mail -- Rules on the labeling and contents of baby milks and food for people with special medical needs would be better defined to protect consumers and give clarity to the food industry, under draft legislation adopted by the European Parliament as a negotiating position with the Council. The special rules would also cover gluten intolerance and certain low-calorie diets.
The new legislation is to replace several existing laws in order to streamline and clarify labeling and composition rules, which cover products representing around 1-2% of the total food market. The changes were proposed due to problems faced by both consumers and authorities in distinguishing between foods for normal consumption and those intended for specific groups.