Skimpflation

Subject: Skimpflation

Although inflation is no longer at record-high levels, a new trend known as ‘skimpflation’ has emerged in supermarkets across the European Union. With skimpflation, it is noteworthy that, unlike with inflation and shrinkflation, manufacturers not only increase prices but also reduce the quality of their products. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, higher-quality ingredients have been replaced by lower-quality ones to produce many food products. This measure was initially intended to be temporary, but has persisted to this day. For instance, the shortage of sunflower oil has led to its substitution with palm oil in certain products. Although the market has stabilised, some manufacturers have not returned to using sunflower oil as an ingredient, but continue to use palm oil because it is cheaper. It is particularly concerning that certain manufacturers have not informed consumers about the changes in ingredients on the packaging, and the nutritional values no longer correspond to the original data.

Does the Commission consider this practice to be misleading to consumers, and if so, how is it planning to counter it?

Submitted:14.2.2024

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission (13 March 2024)

Regulation 1169/2011 on food information to consumers (1) (FIC) requires the indication of the list of ingredients, which shall include all the ingredients of the food. The FIC Regulation mandates that food information, including on the ingredients of the food, shall be accurate and shall not be misleading, amongst others, as to the nature, identity, properties and composition of the food.

With regard to refined oils of vegetable origin, the FIC Regulation provides that they may be grouped together in the list of ingredients under the designation ‘vegetable oils’, however, this indication has to be followed immediately by a list of indications of the specific vegetable origin.

During the first months of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Member States could show certain flexibility in the enforcement of the EU food labelling rules, if this was temporary, justified and proportionate. However, in a situation where the market is stabilised, showing flexibility in the enforcement of EU food labelling rules would not be justified.

Please note that the responsibility for the enforcement and monitoring of EU food law lies with the Member States.

The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC (2) prohibits inter alia misleading commercial practices and complements the EU’s sectorial legislation, such as on food information, filling the gaps and contributing to a high level of consumer protection in all sectors.

1 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers,

amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004, OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18. 2 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32005L0029