Just as with milk, durum wheat and rice, Italy wants the origin of tomatoes to be shown on the label of products containing processed tomatoes.
The Minister of Agriculture Maurizo Martina announced that he would submit a new bill together with the Minister of Economic Development, Carlo Calende.
Since the beginning of this year, labels of domestic dairy products have to include the origin of the milk, in Italy. The new labelling law requiring labels to contain the origin of rice, wheat and semolina in pasta products, have been reported to the EU. The corresponding bills have already passed and the law will apply from February 2018.
Martina stated the desire for greater transparency and the ability of consumers to make better choices as reasons for the new initiative. The Italian tomato processing industry is struggling with tomato shortages due to the bad harvest caused by the weather this season.