Directive 2001/112/EC lays down specific rules on the composition of fruit juices, their reserved names, their production characteristics and their labelling.
The products covered by this Directive are:
- fruit juices,
- fruit juice from concentrate,
- pure concentrated fruit juice,
- dehydrated fruit juice/fruit juice powder,
- fruit juice without water content
- fruit nectar.
These products are defined on the basis of their composition and preparation processes to ensure that the terms are used accurately in commerce and not in a way that may mislead consumers.
Following the adoption of amending Directive 2012/12/EU, the addition of sugar is no longer allowed in fruit juices.Fruit juices are labelled in accordance with the general rules laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the labelling of foodstuffs. However, this Directive adopts additional, specific rules to improve consumer information. They require in the name of the product to make it clear:
- whether a product is a mixture of different fruits;
- whether a product is derived in whole or in part from a concentrate.