Designate Commissioner John Dalli: "I won’t tell consumers what to eat, but I’ll tell them what they’re eating"

One of the most controversial topics of debate in the hearing was the issue of nutrition policy, and more specifically the legislative proceedings linked to the European Commission’s proposed Regulation on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers.

Many MEPs asked questions relating to the Commissioner Designate’s plans to work on the determinants of health and disease prevention. In response to a question from the ENVI coordinator for the S&D group, Linda McAvan MEP (UK), Mr. Dalli underlined that he would be strong on all of the core determinants of health, and would target obesity, tobacco and alcohol as they have a measurable impact on avoidable deaths in the European Union.

Mr. Dalli also said that his preferred course of action would be to bring this debate to schools across the Union. Many states, he said, "instruct people what to do." He would opt to push education as a means to encourage healthy lifestyles, improve choices and inform people.

Replying to a question by Renate Sommer (EPP, DE), rapporteur for ENVI on the Food Information to Consumers dossier, Mr. Dalli said that the aim would be to "empower the consumer" - consumers "must be informed, so they can decide for themselves what is good or bad for them", he said, adding that "I would not want to tell them what to eat, but what they are eating".

When questioned on the potential conflict of interest between consumer protection and the fragmentation of the internal market, Mr. Dalli said that he would place harmonisation first to ensure the full functioning of the internal market. This question was addressed to Commissioner Dalli from both the EPP and the S&D group. Christel Schaldemose MEP (S&D, DK) asked how the Commissioner intended to be the ’guardian of the consumers’ if he prioritised harmonisation, whereas Anna-Maria Corazza-Bildt MEP (EPP, SWE) wanted to know if Mr. Dalli would be strong in the face of tough opposition from Member States. Her question referred directly to her opposition to a harmonised labelling scheme that allows for national provisions.

Emma McClarkin MEP (ECR, UK) supported Renate Sommer MEP’s (EPP, DE) proposal to delete nutrient profiles from the legislative framework for nutrition labelling. Furthermore, she insisted that the EU is burdening consumers with too much information. The Commissioner underlined the fact that he supports ’’smart labelling’’ that is readable and supported by an education campaign. On alcohol issues, Ms. McClarkin sought confirmation from the Commissioner Delegate that he would not overegulate the market or introduce measures in terms of labelling. Mr. Dalli responsed by saying that the issue of excessive alcohol consumption demands ’novel’ responses. Whilst education plays a key role, he said that other measures such as increased controls for drink-driving must be considered.

These answers should be viewed in the context of his overall statement of intent, where he set out a focus on disease prevention and a reduction of health inequalities. Furthermore the hearing process is not designed to enter into details on specific dossiers, rather to assess the suitability and competence of the Commissioner Delegate to carry out the job. The debate on Food Information to Consumers continues in the ENVI, IMCO and AGRI Committees.

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