EU Relaxes Rules on Imperfect Produce

The EU has scrapped strict standards on the size and shape for 26 fruits and vegetables, paving the way for the sale of funny looking fruits and vegetables. The decision came despite protests from some nations which wanted to keep the rules for fear that produce prices would drop significantly.

Aleqm5ggdwnsfn1lhmtkya231vt0evzvgq "This is a happy day indeed for the curvy cucumber and the knobbly carrot, and other amusingly shaped fruits and vegetables," said European Commission spokesman Michael Mann.

"It's a concrete example of our drive to cut unnecessary red tape," added EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. "We simply don't need to regulate this sort of thing at EU level." She also noted that in a climate of high food prices and economic crises, "consumers should be able to choose from the widest range of products possible. It makes no sense to throw perfectly good products away, just because they are the 'wrong' shape."

Rules will be eliminated for apricots, artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, avocados, beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflowers, cherries, courgettes, cucumbers, cultivated mushrooms, garlic, hazelnuts in shell, headed cabbage, leeks, melons, onions, peas, plums, ribbed celery, spinach, walnuts in shell, water melons, and chicory. However, as a compromise, standards remain in place for apples, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, lettuces, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes and tomatoes.


 
Posted by Josh Friedland on Nov 12, 2008 in Featured, Politics, What's Fresh | Link | | Print this page | Share This



 

Comments

Jun 21, 2011 5:57:49 PM
Posted By: lenjerie intima

The UE rules must be changed for some products. I mean, is difficult to have the same taxes for the lingerie and food, in the same time.

 

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