French introduce labels to lift beef

28 February 1997

French introduce labels to lift beef

FRANCE is to introduce new meat labelling laws – before its approval by the EU – in an attempt to bolster sales.

Providing consumers with more information is the only way to win back confidence, warned industry body, Interbev, director Jean-Louis Bignon at this weeks SIAL show in Paris.

"We will be introducing the labels in June. They will show country of origin, whether the beef is from steers, bulls or cows and the breed type – milk, meat or mixed."

Labelling is expected to add up to 0.5FF/kg (6p/kg) to the cost of slaughtering, said Mr Bignon. "But it is compulsory, so will not distort the market."n