The proposals, which were passed on a second vote in the EU parliament, will require specific thresholds for claims such as 'low fat', 'high fiber' or 'reduced sugar'. A product marketed as 'low salt', for example, would have to contain no more than 0.12g of sodium per 100g under the new law.
Products that advertise specific health benefits such as lowering cholesterol or aiding weight loss must also be able to back up their claims with scientific evidence, and this will be assessed by the European Food Safety Authority. Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed any health claims, except where the drink has a reduced calorie or alcohol content.
A slight amendment was made on one of the articles, allowing a nutrition claim to be made if only one nutrient does not fit the nutritional profile. However, the high level of the substance must be clearly displayed on the label.
The proposals must go before the EU Council before they are adopted, which would be sometime in the autumn of 2006.