Calling for proportionate country-of-origin labelling rules
HOTREC has joined other European food-chain stakeholders in a joint statement expressing concern over the possible extension of mandatory country-of-origin labelling to additional food categories.
The statement follows discussions held at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meetings of 26 January and 26 May 2026 on country-of-origin labelling. While recognising consumers’ interest in the origin and provenance of food and drink products, the co-signatories stress that any new requirements must be proportionate, evidence-based and operationally feasible.
For Europe’s hospitality sector, the extension of mandatory origin labelling could create significant practical challenges. Restaurants, caterers and foodservice operators rely on flexible sourcing to ensure quality, availability, affordability and food safety. This flexibility is particularly important in a context of seasonal supply, changing consumer demand, climate-related disruptions and cost pressures.
More extensive mandatory origin labelling requirements could reduce sourcing flexibility across the food supply chain. Businesses may be pushed to rely on a smaller number of large suppliers able to provide consistent volumes, potentially disadvantaging smaller producers and suppliers from smaller Member States.
The statement also warns that additional labelling obligations could increase administrative and operational costs, encourage less efficient supply chains, create more waste, increase energy and resource use, and ultimately contribute to higher food prices for consumers.
At a time when competitiveness, resilience, food security and simplification are strategic priorities for the European Union, HOTREC and the other co-signatories underline that further extensions of mandatory country-of-origin labelling could undermine the smooth functioning of the Single Market.
The co-signatories therefore urge the European Commission and Member States not to pursue further mandatory extensions, and instead to work with stakeholders on solutions that meet consumer expectations while preserving the free flow of food and food ingredients in the Single Market.
HOTREC remains committed to supporting consumers with meaningful information where there is clear demand and where this can be delivered in a practical and proportionate way for hospitality businesses.