An EU study has found no systematic discrimination of Eastern European countries in the quality of food and drink. According to the European Commission, the suspicion that products marketed especially in Eastern Europe are often different or worse did not harden, even if many products differ despite the same or similar packaging. This was announced by the EU Commission today.
Corresponding allegations were made in 2017 and also affected Austrian products such as Manner-Schnitten. But also the quality of butter biscuits, fish sticks, drinks and Co. regarded Eastern European countries as worse than in the West.
„No uniform geographic pattern“
Although the composition of almost one third of the foods examined from 19 countries was different despite identical or similar packaging. However, a total of 1,400 products had „no uniform geographical pattern“, which indicated that Eastern Europe was at a disadvantage, the EU Commission said.
According to the study conducted by the EU’s own Joint Research Center, nine percent of the products had a different composition despite the same front of the package. Another 22 percent advertised the modified food or beverage with a similar front packaging.
The EU stresses that differences in composition „do not necessarily mean a difference in product quality“. Manufacturers point out that they adapt their products on national markets also to the taste preferences there.
