As the 89th Green Week in Berlin approaches, taking place from January 17 to 26, 2025, food origin labeling has emerged as a significant issue for both consumers and industry experts. The event, which brings together professionals from the agricultural, food, and consumer sectors, will feature a special focus on the accuracy and clarity of origin labeling. Experts from the Verbraucherzentralen (Consumer Protection Centers) are urging for more transparency, particularly in how food products are marketed as “regional” or “local.”
The Challenge of Misleading Marketing
Many consumers actively seek out local and regional foods, hoping to support domestic agriculture and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transport. However, distinguishing between genuine regional products and those that are only labeled as such for marketing purposes can be challenging.
Frank Waskow, food expert at the Verbraucherzentrale NRW, points out that what appears to be a regional label can sometimes only refer to the place where the product was packaged, not where the ingredients were grown or sourced. In some cases, these labels may serve as nothing more than clever marketing tactics, making it difficult for consumers to make informed choices.
“The challenge is that consumers often interpret terms like ‘regional’ or ‘local’ as indicators of origin, while they may only refer to the packaging location or marketing strategy,” Waskow explains. This discrepancy creates confusion and undermines consumer trust in food labeling.
The Demand for Clearer and Binding Standards
To address this issue, Verbraucherzentralen are calling on policymakers to implement mandatory country-of-origin labeling for all food products. Waskow suggests that not only should the country of origin be clearly indicated, but processed foods should also disclose the origin of key ingredients, especially those that significantly impact the final product.
This move toward greater transparency could empower consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions, ultimately promoting trust in the food system. “A clear and mandatory indication of the origin of primary and value-defining ingredients would be a vital step in creating transparency,” Waskow states.
Experts are also advocating for uniform, binding minimum standards for labeling and marketing of regional products. By standardizing these practices, consumers would have a clearer understanding of what constitutes a truly local or regional product.
Interactive Educational Efforts at Green Week
To facilitate better understanding, the Verbraucherzentralen will showcase an interactive booth at the Green Week, where visitors can scan product replicas, such as eggs, processed meats, honey, and frozen fruits. This will allow consumers to determine whether a product requires an origin label and see how such labels are presented.
Additionally, the booth will provide an educational experience where attendees can explore which regions of the world supply fruits like strawberries, apples, and asparagus, depending on the season. This interactive approach will help to clarify misconceptions about food sourcing and labeling.
A Step Toward Informed Consumer Choices
In conclusion, the growing demand for local and sustainable food requires a shift in how food origin is communicated to consumers. Clear, binding standards for food labeling, including mandatory information about both the origin of the product and its ingredients, would help combat misleading marketing and promote transparency. As we approach the Green Week in 2025, it is clear that food labeling reform is necessary to empower consumers, support local agriculture, and foster a more sustainable food system.
