On April 13, 2023, The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) published a report on consumers’ experiences, behaviors, and attitudes towards food packaging and food-related risks titled ‘Unwrapped: what consumers say about safe and sustainable food packaging’.
Commissioned by BEUC, Euroconsumers conducted a survey in October 2020 across Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain with a total of 11,232 respondents. The survey consisted of an online questionnaire, where samples were weighted for age, gender, educational level, and region to be representative of the respective population. Most consumers surveyed believe that the safety and use information provided on food packaging is either not understandable or insufficient. According to the report, “an overhaul of EU food packaging laws is urgent.”
“[C]onsumers do not feel sufficiently informed when buying or using food packaging and containers,” BEUC wrote in a press release. “While consumers are generally aware that some packaging or containers can release chemicals into food, the survey results suggest they may not be receiving the information they need – such as directions for safe and appropriate use.” Twenty-five percent of consumers feel poorly informed about food packaging and kitchenware and less than 10% feel well informed.
In March 2020, research by the German consumer organization Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (VZBV) also found that consumers are concerned about food packaging safety but have little understanding of which chemicals are in packaging, and generally assume all food contact materials are tested by authorities (FPF reported). BEUC came to a similar conclusion, with approximately 60% of respondents saying they trust authorities to check food containers and packaging. Even so, many still worry about health impacts from chemicals present in food contact items, and a significant majority, 90%, support stricter rules to prevent health impacts.
The authors recommend that EU policymakers communicate more clearly to consumers about risks, labels, and instructions for use; or create stricter regulations on the chemicals used, misleading labels (FPF reported), and recyclable materials (FPF reported). To combat misleading labels and promote transparency in claims on food packaging, the European Commission (EC) proposed a directive on the substantiation and communication of environmental claims on March 22, 2023 (FPF reported).
Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC commented in the press release: “Taken together, these findings show that EU food packaging policy falls well short of consumer expectations and needs. Consumer organisations call for EU rules so that food containers and packaging are safe, and people always receive easy instructions on how to use them.”
Several EU policies concerning food contact materials are currently under revision including the restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, FPF reported), the proposed bisphenol restriction (FPF reported), the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs, FPF reported), and the ongoing packaging and packaging waste regulation (FPF reported).
References
BEUC (April 13, 2023). “Unwrapped: What consumers say about safe and sustainable food packaging.” (pdf)
BEUC (April 13, 2023). “Consumers insufficiently informed about safe use of food containers and kitchenware, new survey shows.”
Read more
Clelia Oziel (April 13, 2023). “Major FCM survey outcome prompts calls for stricter EU rules.” Chemical Watch
