Special diet foods make many health claims, justified or not. MEPs scrutinise new rules on food for babies, sportsmen and those with special requirements.

Rules for special diet foods

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15854788/n001-120207-001-en_mf.srt

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic,  ranked World Number 1,

His nutritionist claims a gluten-free diet  is behind his winning streak.

Special diets often lead to fads  in the general population.

The EU explores regulating the industry  which exploits our desire to be the best.

If a product is put on the market  for a higher price, it has to be justified.

Otherwise we just pay more for things  that we don’t know the effects of.

Old EU rules meant dietetic foods could be  put on the market without scientific proof.

The new proposal to harmonise rules  on foods for babies, infants, sportspeople

and those with special requirements  is in the initial stages of scrutiny.

Which foods should be included  is to be decided.

MEPs want consumers to trust  the special diet food industry.

Consumer confidence means more sales.  Will both consumers and industry benefit?

I don’t care so much about the industry,  I want using the food to be simple and easy.

What we buy and eat is a matter for us,  and the industry should adapt.

I tabled an amendment to ban  baby milk health claims and advertising.

The report was voted by MEPs  in the Consumer Committee Monday.

Next, the Public Health  Committee has its say.

It will be some time before  the new legislation is ready.

Claims about gluten-free foods  will be covered by different rules.