The European food campaign group Foodwatch is calling for compulsory labelling of all products that contain animal products or were manufactured using them, in light of the fact that many fruit juices are routinely clarified with gelatine, which is derived from animal collagen.
Gelatine does not currently have to be listed on juice labels because it is a 'process ingredient', meaning that is used during manufacturing but not present in the finished product. A spokesman from the trade association the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe defended its use, saying gelatine was a natural product that had been used for culinary purposes for more than 2000 years.
However, Foodwatch argues that while manufacturers are not breaking the letter of the law, they are behaving unethically, by failing to provide full information to consumers.
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Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
