New Product Labeling Rules Come into Force in Georgia

From March 1, new rules of product labeling entered into force in Georgia, envisaging more protection of consumers’ rights by better informing them about the foodstuffs they are buying.

The National Food Agency says the regulations aim to provide consumers with the best possible information about the product and thus promote their health and rights.

The regulations foresee there being more compulsory information on the label about the product, as well as information related to food safety. It is now considered a violation if the label does not contain information about food composition, nutritional value and allergy risks.

The font size of the information on the label and the form of information about the product has been determined by the regulations. The label information should be accurate, clear, easy to understand and visible to consumers and must inform them about protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral content in the product.

Under the new regulations, no information is permitted on food product labels which does not refer to the composition of the product or which make it look better than it really is.

The label also has to contain information about the production manufacture date, best before date and expiry date. The label must also inform customers about the storage rules for the product.

The changes read that the business operator, including the importer, is responsible for placing and presenting information about a particular product.

According to the National Food Agency, the new technical regulations demand full protection of consumers' health and interests while providing information on food, enabling users to be more informed to make a better choice.

In case of violations of the new rules, small business operators will be fined GEL 200, while larger business operators by GEL 400. If the offence is repeated during the same year, the fine will be GEL 600.

The new technical regulations for providing consumers more information on food products were to have been launched from September 1, 2018. However, at the request of the business sector and the recommendation of the Business Ombudsman, the activation of the new regulations was postponed by six months and took effect on March 1.

By Thea Morrison

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