Any food product naming policy in EU?

Dear all, 

Our company are discussing to change our product name. One of the attendees mentioned that we need to included the vegetable name in the product name. 

Like we have a cabbage&chicken dumpling, then we cannot print the name of "Japanese gyoza" on our label, but "cabbage japanese gyoza" or "cabbage&chicken gyoza".

Is this right, in EU food labelling rules

 

 

Mandatory information for prepacked foods

What type of information are you required to mention?

• name of the food

there is no more details.

Can I name my product as "Japanese gyoza"? I really confused.

Confused Sushan

Hi!  Not sure if my memory is failing me... But unless it's different to how we applied (and pretty much continue to apply*) EU law in the UK, you can have a name on front of pack but then there is a "legal name" requirement.  That's normally on back of pack above the ingredients listing or nutritional.  Unless there is a specific bit of legislation or it's a really well known and understood simple foodstuff, you'd make that a descriptive name.  

So for example, on this product which is also a gyoza on a UK website, you can see the legal name on the online information:

https://www.tesco.co...ducts/299955276

The legal name they've put here is a description, i.e.:

"Steamed Asian style wheat parcels filled with chicken & vegetables"

And on front of pack they've called them "chicken gyoza".

I wouldn't personally call them "Japanese gyoza" unless they're actually made in Japan.  It was drummed into me in my legal labelling course that one of the most fundamental principles is "you should not mislead the consumer".

Hope that helps but even within the EU there can be the odd nuance.

(Also *wasn't that a bloody waste of time and no, there was no way I voted to leave.  I voted to stay along with the vast majority of the food industry.)

I'm in total agreement with GMO. You need to make a distinction between the name and the legal name. The latter should be descriptive and mention the main ingredients that provide the flavor (don't forget to include "with artificial sweeteners" if your product contains them, not relevant to gyoza, but otherwise easy to forget).

I would also avoid using the word "Japanese" in either as it suggests the product was made there. Using "Japanese-style" or leaving it out entirely and only mentioning "Steamed Asian style wheat parcels filled with chicken & vegetables" is the safer option.

I'm in total agreement with GMO. You need to make a distinction between the name and the legal name. The latter should be descriptive and mention the main ingredients that provide the flavor (don't forget to include "with artificial sweeteners" if your product contains them, not relevant to gyoza, but otherwise easy to forget).

 

I would also avoid using the word "Japanese" in either as it suggests the product was made there. Using "Japanese-style" or leaving it out entirely and only mentioning "Steamed Asian style wheat parcels filled with chicken & vegetables" is the safer option.

Thank you! Now I'm just even more curious about why the authorities have allowed my current employer to use the name “Japanese Gyoza” for at least ten years...

Is the the gyoza supposed to be pan-fried before consumption (or is that perhaps done during your production process)?

Generally speaking, it seems to be acceptable naming in the culinary world for gyoza, typically prepared with cabbage and pork, with a wrapper that is typically thinner than those of similar Chinese dumplings. It is usually assumed they are pan-fried on one side until crisp, then steamed in the same pan so the top stays tender.

The name may not be a problem if the authorities have not said it's a problem for more than 10 years. Just make sure you keep it out of the legal name.

It might be acceptable if it's clear on your packaging it's not made in Japan. 

It wouldn't be typical naming in the UK (they'd just be called "gyoza") and would probably be seen by Trading Standards as misleading. If there are multiple brands calling themselves something similar, then it gives you more protection that it's not misleading. But also it's fair to say lots of labelling errors I've seen in the UK which are not legal have also not been raised by the competent authorities here. Lack of action doesn't mean it's fine.

For example, a product not even claiming to be "Japanese Gyoza" in the UK has this on pack to make it clear it's not made in Japan.