WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4080/97 by Luigi FLORIO to the Commission. Italy's finance policy and the Maastricht criteria
C 187/120 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 6. 98 Joint answer to Written Questions E-4070/97 and E-4072/97 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998) The Commission believes that a safe and adequate supply of a great variety of foods is available today to consumers in the Community as a result of a number of Community policies, measures and activities. Correct and consistent information on food labels but also appropriate knowledge by and education of consumers are important elements which will help them to select a diet to suit their individual needs. Nutritional claims are one important aspect of labelling and the Commission is currently evaluating the comments on this specific issue received in response to the Commissionís green paper on food law (1) before deciding on any necessary measures. (1) COM(97) 176 final. (98/C 187/186) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4071/97 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: Nutritional labelling Given the high percentage of pre-packed foods on sale in some countries, does the Commission accept that if consumers wish to choose a healthy diet, full nutritional labelling is essential for all pre-packed foods and that labels should include information on at least: energy, protein, carbohydrate, sugars, fat, saturates, fibre and sodium? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998) Under current Community legislation on nutrition labelling for foodstuffs (1) laid down in Directive 90/496/EEC, information on the eight elements mentioned can be given voluntarily and is compulsory in certain circumstances stipulated therein. The Commission had raised the subject and invited comments on the revision of the nutrition labelling directive in its green paper on food law published in May 1997 (2). The Commission is currently evaluating these comments but has not yet reached any conclusions on the specific issue raised. (1) OJ L 276, 6. 10. 1990. (2) COM(97) 176 final. (98/C 187/187) WRITTEN QUESTION P-4080/97 by Luigi Florio (UPE) to the Commission (18 December 1997) Subject: Italyís finance policy and the Maastricht criteria Under the 1998 finance act the Italian Government is preparing to introduce a new tax known as IRAP (= regional tax on production). The significant features of this tax are that it will fall particularly heavily on natural and legal persons who employ staff and who have contracted debts (neither the wages paid to employees nor the interest incurred on debts are tax-deductible under IRAP) and that it cannot be offset against income tax