The European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA)  has released a questionnaire to gather the sports and active nutrition industry’s expert views on the impact of the EU’s forthcoming mandatory front-of-pack nutritional labelling (FOPNL) scheme. 

The survey will collect evidence on the current use of FOPNL schemes across the sector and any challenges faced by the industry ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s legislative proposal on the introduction of a mandatory FOPNL and the setting of nutrient profiles, expected in Q4 2022. 

The closing date for input in the questionnaire is 16^th September 2022. 

Dr Adam Carey, Chair of ESSNA, said:  

“Any forthcoming FOPNL obligations need to be based on sound evidence and take into account the specificities of specialist food sectors. This is why ESSNA is launching an industry-wide survey to collect first-hand information on the predicted impact of new obligations on our sector.

Sports foods are purposefully formulated with higher levels of nutrients, usually protein or carbohydrates, to cater to the specific dietary needs of those undertaking physical activity and performing an exercise. The nutrient profiling framework underpinning the FOPNL has to consider the specific dietary needs of sports people, which are different from those of the general population.  

We call on industry peers to participate in the survey to ensure the views of the sector are considered in any future rules set at the EU level”.