Same brand, different composition? – There can be no first and second class consumers in the EU!

The results of the comparison of quality related characteristics of branded food products were presented yesterday at the European Parliament (EP). The study launched by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre shows that half of the products compared have significant differences in composition when the packaging shows the same picture. According to Fidesz MEP Edina Tóth, there can be no double standards in the internal market of the Union. “To this end, the role of consumer protection authorities must be strengthened and they must be provided with the means to put an end to this practice!” MEP Tóth emphasized.

According to MEP Tóth, the report published yesterday marks another milestone in the purchase of the issue on dual quality within the EU. However, further action and research are needed to enable a broader assessment and a better understanding of the composition and quality relationship.

According to MEP Tóth, the current test results show a mixed picture: “I am pleased to see that no evidence has been found that there is an East-West division in the composition of branded food products. However, it is a concern that half of the products of the same brand examined have different compositions”.

The double standard may have objective conditions – different use of raw materials, eating habits, differences in taste – but if the difference between foods of the same brand is proven to be caused by the lower quality raw material, it leads to a loss of consumer confidence, MEP Tóth emphasized. “This was true not only for food, but also, for example, as the previous NÉBIH studies in Hungary confirmed, for cleaning products. By doing so, it is as if Eastern European consumers are seen as second-class consumers,” MEP Tóth added.

MEP Tóth noted that the content of the consumer basket largely depends on consumer habits. In the case of basic foods, our favorites are dairy products and grain products, which can also be produced from domestic raw materials. “It would be beneficial for consumers to choose local food products, so that their composition and quality are largely justified by domestic consumer habits,” MEP Tóth emphasized.