ZNAKOWANIE ŻYWNOŚCI JAKO FORMA ADMINISTRACYJNOPRAWNEJ OCHRONY KONSUMENTA

Abstract

This article discusses the role of administrative norms in food labelling regulations with regard to consumers’ protection. Administrative regulations play a significant role in the entire food law system, particularly in the pursuit of its general objectives related to consumers’ well-being. Food labelling is one of the instruments applied to ensure consumers’ protection but it needs to be assisted by a legal apparatus enabling efficient control over the observance of the provisions and imposing sanctions for non-compliance. Not only is food label a basic channel of communication used by producers in order to provide consumers with information about products, but it also has a tremendous impact on consumers’ food choices. Information shared on labels ought to be readable and understandable for the purpose of facilitating conscious food decision making. Nonetheless, despite the institutional support, consumers are still considered to be the weaker party on the food market, therefore food labelling regulations should be compliant with their awareness and habits.