Doc. 8322
10 February 1999

Functional food: serving the interests of the consumer or the food industry ?

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Etherington and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1. The Sub-Committee on Food (Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development) participated in the first Forum on Functional Food organised by the Council of Europe on 1 and 2 December 1998.

2. The Assembly has already dealt in the past with issues related to nutrition and food consumption, as shown by the recent Recommendation 1389 (1998) on consumer safety and food quality.

3. Dietary habits have evolved in keeping with the socio-cultural development of our societies. Food production is no longer purely about satisfying basic dietary needs and processed food products account for a growing share of the market thanks to the advances made by the agri-food industry.

4. Consumption patterns have also changed and consumers are now far more conscious of the quality of food products, the safety of their food and health.

5. New products are constantly appearing on the market and among these is functional food. In addition to its nutritional function, such food is supposed to improve well-being and health and reduce the risks of illness.

6. There are, however, some questions as to whether the introduction of such food is really necessary. Do consumers expect or ask for it? Does it serve the interests of the food industry? Is it geared towards affluent sections of the population in developed countries? What about food safety or consumer information?

7. The Council of Europe has been dealing with food products for years and plays an important role in harmonising food standards and monitoring the quality of ingredients. At a time when the agri-food sector and the food industry are becoming increasingly complex and making ever greater use of new technologies, in an enlarged Europe, the Council of Europe has a duty to pursue this task for the benefit of our populations.

8. The Assembly wishes to focus on this matter and to make proposals to the Committee of Ministers and member states in order to ensure that consumers are offered healthy, nutritious food which meets their expectations rather than food which simply serves the economic interests of the agri-food industry.

Signed : ¹

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Aylward, Ireland, LDR

Behrendt, Germany, SOC

Ciupaila, Lithuania, LDR

Gonzalez Laxe, Spain, SOC

Hadjidemetriou, Cyprus, SOC

Janowski, Poland, EPP/CD

Kitov, Bulgaria,EPP/CD

Korkeaoja, Finland, LDR

Loule, Greece, UEL

Seiler, Switzerland, LDR

Skopal, Czech Republic, SOC

Telgmaa, Estonia, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group