EU Directive Bans Fruit Juices with Added Sugar

The Council of the European Union (EU) has adopted a directive banning the
use of added sugars in any fruit juices sold in Europe. According to a March
8, 2012, Council press release, the new directive “incorporates the current
industry practice of not adding sugars to fruit juices” and will phase out “no added sugars” labeling after a transitional period, at the end of which “all fruit juices present on the market are not allowed to contain added sugars
anymore.”

The directive also addresses labeling for fruit nectars, which evidently cannot
be made without added sweeteners; adds tomatoes “to the list of fruits used
for fruit juice production”; and confirms that product names must indicate
the fruits included in the juice. Expected to take effect by the beginning
of June, the directive gives member states 18 months after enactment to
transpose its provisions into national law. “The new rules will apply to all fruit
juices marketed in the EU, irrespective of their origin,” concludes the Council’s
press release. “This ensures an equal treatment between fruit juices produced
within the EU and imported from third countries.”