‘Natural’ should mean natural

Consumers International's German Members, VZBV: the Federation of German Consumer Organizations and DIN Consumer Council, are challenging a new food Standard to ensure that consumers aren’t misled by false claims of ‘natural’ ingredients.

They claim the current draft Standard is so broad that highly processed or even genetically modified food could be labeled natural. Which they say is a clear breach of consumer trust. That is why VZBV and DIN Consumer Council are pushing for high requirements for a product to be deemed natural.

In the current draft Standard they say almost anything would make the grade.

But VZBV and DIN Consumer Council aren’t accepting this without a fight. They withdrew their support for the Standard earlier this year and welcomed the decision not to adopt it in Germany. But they are concerned about consumers in other countries. They are urging people to lobby their country’s National Standards Body to vote no to the Standard.

Comments on the draft are possible until 10 September 2016. The draft of standard ISO/DIS 19657 ‘Definitions and technical criteria for food ingredients to be considered as natural’ can be bought via the ISO website.

What are Standards?

International Standards are voluntary guidelines and rules that countries and business can chose to adopt. They apply to a range of products and services and are important as they set a precedent for good practice as well as often forming the basis of legal legislation in the future. If used properly they help to ensure that consumers, no matter where they are in the world, can expect the same levels of safety and quality from their products and services.

Consumers International has worked on the developments of Standards for the past 60 years, from children’s car seats to energy access, to make sure consumers’ voices are heard.