Thus, when a professional voluntarily chooses to indicate the origin of a food product, they must indicate the origin of its main ingredient if it does not have a national origin. Information provided voluntarily by professionals to consumers must be clear and not misleading, especially with regard to the origin of products. Fraudulent indication of a product’s origin has negative economic effects: excessive prices for consumers, loss of market opportunities for competitors, damage to the sector’s image. The French authorities carry out checks when products are imported, and customs officials may seize imported products whose labelling could mislead consumers into believing that they are of French origin. Within France, the DGCCRF checks that consumers are provided with accurate information about the products sold. It verifies the accuracy of claims of origin in all forms (written statements and/or graphic representations suggesting French or local origin, in particular the display of the French flag) and on all media (product labelling or any other commercial communication media. The aim is to avoid misleading consumers, and therefore food lovers, about the contents of their plates. Food products bearing a designation of origin and quality help to promote agricultural and cultural heritage, support the economy of rural areas and meet current challenges in terms of sustainability and food quality. II. THE OBJECTIVES OF REGULATION (EU) 2024/1143 Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products12 emphasises the important role that geographical indications can play in sustainability, including in the context of the circular economy, thereby increasing their heritage value and strengthening their role in national and regional policies aimed at achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal13. It adds that the quality and diversity of wine and spirit production and of agricultural and food production in the Union are one of its great assets, giving Union producers a competitive advantage and making a major contribution to 12 Amending Regulations (EU) N° 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) N° 1151/2012 (OJ L, 2024/1143 of 23.4.2024). 13 Regulation (EU) 2024/1142, Recital 2. 371 LAW AND GASTRONOMY IN LIGHT OF REGULATION (EU) 2024/1143
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTE4NzM5Nw==