The EP President appeals to the Greeks to not 'abandon ship', EP-approved health claims appear online and MEPs want to reinforce the rights of vulnerable consumers.

Greek future / Health claims / Consumer rights

was the unanimous plea  from the G8 Members

who met on Saturday 19th May  in Washington.

The US as well as Canada, Japan  and Russia joined in the calls

made the day before by the EP President  on a visit to Athens.

Martin Schulz appealed to the Greeks  to continue their efforts

and not to 'abandon ship' at a time when,

on top of the austerity measures  needed to try to exit the crisis,

Greater transparency on food labelling and  fewer misleading slogans on packaging.

Approved by the MEPs, 222 health claims  are now authorised in the European Union.

The official claims can be consulted  on the Commission's website.

The non-authorised claims  can also be viewed online.

The authorised claims have been subject  to a rigorous scientific evaluation

and are now more precise  in terms of health benefits.

Misleading adverts, unsecure online  payments, a lack of transparency:

EU consumers claim they are still badly  informed and protected in cases of abuse.

This is especially true  for society's most vulnerable,

such as children, the elderly or the disabled.

The day before a new European consumer  agenda is adopted by the Commission,

MEP María Irigoyen Pérez  is nevertheless cautious.

Those vulnerable consumers  specifically have to be protected

which in the end we all are because  we are all consumers and users.

On Tuesday in the plenary, MEPs will also  ask Member States and companies

to get more involved as regards  the training and aid provided to consumers