New marketing rules change again
New egg marketing rules introduced in January—and still not fully implemented—are to change again.
Additional requirements will mean that every egg box will now have to carry an explanation of the producer code which is supposed to be stamped on every egg.
But six months after the EU regulations came into force some retailers are still not complying with the original requirements and quantities of eggs are still not being stamped.
The RSPCA has made an official complaint about the failures and claimed that egg labelling is still confusing consumers.
Chief egg inspector Bruce Pattern admitted that there had been "hiccups" with the introduction of the new rules. The latest alterations were being made to sort out anomalies he said.
Previously retailers were allowed to explain the producer code on a notice near to the point of sale. This is no longer acceptable.
Mr Pattern will be writing to packers explaining that each box must now carry an explanation either on the front or inside the lid.
Some packs already carry the explanation. But in a generally muddled approach to the new rules some retailers are not even carrying the production method on the outside of the pack—as they should. Others do carry the required words but in extremely small print.
The RSPCA says it has carried out research which shows that some supermarkets are still selling products that fail to comply with the new rules.
"Egg labelling is still confusing consumers," says senior scientific officer Caroline Le Sueur, "and the RSPCA is concerned that many supermarkets are not doing enough to address this, despite the new legislation."
Mr Pattern said the biggest problem in the way of the new regulations was the availability of stamping equipment. He said some registered packing stations had not yet received equipment even though they had paid deposits.
"We are putting pressure on the printer suppliers," he said, "and we are attempting to persuade them to supply the biggest customers first."
He said he and his inspectors were conscious that registration under the new regulations had not taken place until late in 2003 and that it would therefore have been unreasonable to crack down on non-compliances immediately.
"But we are getting to the stage now," he said, "when we need to be closing the door."
One packing station executive said the latest changes would mean once again going through the cost and trouble of changing artwork and printing orders.
"The mistake with these regulations was to involve the consumer," he said. "The producer codes are a useful tool in improving traceability but attempting to also use them as a device to inform the public was a big mistake."
Have you encountered the marketing rules muddle? Are you waiting for an egg printer? Have you encountered problems with retailers? If so please let us know.
