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Thursday, 30th October 2008

We all remember curvy cucumbers, bent bananas and forked carrots, yes? Those euromyths, that we've been told really aren't true?

Well, not so much told aren't true, but told that retailers and suppliers went on bended knee to the eurocracy, begging that it be made a criminal offence to sell bananas of excessive curvature?

No, really, that's what they've said.

It should not be forgotten that all these norms have been demanded and requested for years by the industry and by the retailers.

So it's a bit of a surprise to see this today.
Sainsbury's is lobbying the Government and the European Commission in an effort to relax strict specifications that limit its ability to sell unusually shaped fresh produce. The grocer has launched a "Save our Ugly Fruit and Veg" campaign, which expresses its concerns over the regulations, and has also gone live with an online poll for shoppers to join in the fight for wonky products. Sainsbury's says the restrictions, which it has lambasted as "bonkers", have prevented it from launching a Halloween range of misshapen fruit and vegetables that would have been up to 40 per cent cheaper than the standard alternatives in stores. The range was pulled because various EU regulations that, for example, make it illegal to sell forked carrots or onions that are less than two thirds covered with skin.

Gosh, you mean that what the bureaucrats have been telling us is not 100% accurate?

Quelle Horreur!

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Greta Hopkins

October 30th, 2008 3:15pm

Very droll but perhaps you should check your facts. The Commission wants to underline that it is already getting rid of these marketing standards for fruit & vegetables (F&V). A vote will probably take place on November 12 in the Management Committee. This will repeal EU marketing standards for 26 types of F&V. Marketing standards will remain for 10 types of F&V. However, even for these 10, shops would be allowed to sell products which do not meet the marketing standards as long as they are labelled appropriately. The new rules will come into force on July 1 2009. The Commission believes that this should not be regulated at EU level.

Andrew K

October 30th, 2008 9:06pm

"The Commission believes that this should not be regulated at EU level". Hmmm, but they HAVE regulated at EU level. And the rules don't go until next July. And they would appear to be remaining in place for some products. By the way, would that be the same Greta Hopkins who is employed as a press officer by the Commission's London office?