PROFEL - European Association of Fruit and Vegetable Processors
PROFEL
PROFEL represents over 500 companies in 11 European countries that produce fruit preserves and fruit spreads, compotes, canned deciduous fruit, frozen fruit, frozen vegetables, canned vegetables and dehydrated vegetables.
ID: 14946504665-75
Lobbying Activity
Response to Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus
13 Oct 2025
PROFEL, the European Association representing the processed fruit and vegetable industry, welcomes the European Commissions Call for Evidence on the simplification of EU food and feed safety legislation. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute and wish to share the following considerations and key recommendations: Authorisation of Plant Protection Products (Reg. 1107/2009) Ensure timely and harmonised access in all Member States to authorised solutions for Minor Use applications, to protect fruit and vegetable crops against insects, diseases and weeds. This is essential to secure EU fruit and vegetable production, ensure supply continuity and provide the confidence for industry investment and growth. Create a more level playing field by addressing todays uneven situation where farmers in some countries have faster or broader access to solutions. Avoid removing existing solutions until safe, effective and economically viable alternatives are authorised and available to fruit and vegetable growers in all Member States. Minimise the risks of resistance development by ensuring a diverse range of crop protection solutions with different modes of action remain accessible. Transition from an evaluation system based mainly on Hazard to a more Risk-based assessment. Inclusion of new techniques and technologies in the authorisation process as risk-prevention tools in the use of plant protection products. Residues (Reg. 396/2005) Ensure coherence between MRL setting (Reg. 396/2005) and PPP availability (Reg. 1107/2009) to secure a stable and competitive supply of EU-sourced raw materials for food production. Simplify the definition of pesticide residues by limiting it to substances covered under PPP legislation (Reg. 1107/2009). Apply clear and realistic transitional measures so that legally produced products can be marketed until the end of their shelf life, avoiding unnecessary food waste and market disruption. Base health risk assessments on actual residue levels detected, not solely on MRL values.
Read full responseMeeting with Sandra Gallina (Director-General Health and Food Safety) and
8 Oct 2025 · Plant protection products - maintaining a competitive and resilient agricultural toolbox in the EU.
Meeting with Elisabeth Werner (Director-General Agriculture and Rural Development) and CropLife Europe and
8 Oct 2025 · Plant protection products - maintaining a competitive and resilient agricultural toolbox in the EU
Meeting with Juozas Olekas (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion)
7 Sept 2023 · Revision of Jam Directive
Meeting with Tom Vandenkendelaere (Member of the European Parliament)
6 Sept 2023 · Jam fruit contents
Meeting with Clara Aguilera (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion) and CropLife Europe and
4 Jul 2023 · Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation
Response to Revision of EU marketing standards for agricultural products
16 Jun 2023
PROFELs European jam producers are alarmed by the proposed increase of the minimum fruit content in traditional standard jams (+29%); and extra jams (+22%). For extra jams, this would result in a drastic increase of energy input due to the longer cooking times required: adding more fruit means higher water input in the recipe (fruit consists of up to 90% water), requiring greater water evaporation to reach the set point. This would add to the sectors carbon footprint, and goes against the objectives of the European Green Deal. Given the recurrent difficulties in sourcing sufficient raw materials from EU producers at present, the increased quantities required will probably entail an increase in imports from 3rd countries. This will likely raise the carbon footprint of the sector further also contradicting the European Green Deal. It is surprising that the Commissions impact assessment missed this negative impact on the environment and concluded that no direct environmental effect is expected. Then there is the question of the potential health benefit. The increase would bring no tangible health gains in view of the average consumption and function of jams in a standard diet: in fact, the difference in fruit intake would be negligible, while there would be no difference to the total sugars in the products consumed. To date, the Commission has produced no data to suggest there would be any measurable health benefit. The higher energy consumption and the higher fruit content will considerably raise production costs for jam producers. This will ultimately result in higher prices for consumers at a time when consumers purchasing power is declining. For standard jams, price sensitive sectors (such as food services, caterers, care homes, hospitals) could react to the price increases by switching to alternative products outside the category, further undermining any intended health impact. Furthermore, in terms of the quality of our products, longer cooking times for extra jams which account for +/-70% of products on the retail market - would also lead to deterioration of colour, flavour and texture. Our sector is strongly committed to reducing its carbon footprint, building on and further developing sustainable value chains. At a time when our jam producing companies many of them SMEs - make strong commitments towards a true ecological transition as foreseen in the EUs Farm to Fork strategy, this proposal is a setback and would undermine any decarbonization efforts. Jams and extra jams remain the largest category of fruit spreads on the market, with a limited list of ingredients. These products remain very close to home-made similar products. In addition to familiar tastes of traditional jams that respect and reflect our cultural diversity, the consumer can today already choose from a wide range of fruit spread products outside the directive, including those with much higher fruit content and less sugars. These products have a shorter shelf life and need to be kept in the fridge. The proposed changes are likely to result in a reduced market significance of both the standard jam and extra jam categories, and, as a consequence, also in a lower significance of the Jam Directive. For our full assessment of the proposal including its positive aspects from the producers perspective please see our attached position paper with more technical explanations.
Read full responseMeeting with Clara Aguilera (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion)
2 Feb 2023 · Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation
Meeting with Tom Vandenkendelaere (Member of the European Parliament)
12 Oct 2022 · Farm to Fork strategy (presentation)
Response to Sustainable use of pesticides – revision of the EU rules
15 Sept 2022
PROFEL, the European Association of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries, supports the EU’s ambitious targets towards reducing the use and risk of chemical pesticides. In the development of the proposed regulation, PROFEL implores the European Commission to give due consideration to the processed fruit and vegetable sector and to develop a legislative framework which secures and supports the competitiveness of the sector’s supply chain.
We are convinced that by promoting Integrated Pest Management prevention measures and adopting new innovations in the field of crop protection, New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), precision farming and robotics, reductions in chemical pesticides can be achieved. However, the reduction of PPP use and replacement with alternatives, should be executed in a managed way that does not create undue risk of crop failure, create barriers to production or jeopardise food security in the EU.
With respect to the current SUR proposal, you will find PROFEL’s main considerations and concerns in the document attached.
Read full responseMeeting with Salvatore De Meo (Member of the European Parliament) and confindustria ceramica
9 Feb 2022 · Various
Response to Review of the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme - EU aid
27 Jul 2021
Both fresh and processed fruit and vegetables are known for their health-promoting properties, are associated with protection against a broad range of chronic human diseases like cancer and heart disease, and play a crucial role in the fight against obesity.
Processed fruit and vegetables:
- are a good source of vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fibre and phenolic compounds, which is why they are included in many national “5-a-day” schemes and are part of other national nutrition plans.
- they can contribute in a significant manner to the intake of essential nutrients in the daily diet; and can thus help to comply with public health recommendations
- due to their strong convenience factors such as long shelf life and availability all year round they offer flexibility to the scheme
In addition, processed fruit and vegetable products can contribute to the goals of the scheme:
- enabling children to discover new tastes and get access to certain new types of fruit and vegetables and their mixes
- changing children's eating habits and raising their awareness of what constitutes a portion of fruit and vegetables
- educate children about healthy nutrition, sustainable food systems and reducing food waste
In the overall aim to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children, healthy processed products can thus play an important part in the scheme. In view of the analysis the product scope of the scheme and the fact that more could also be done in respect of the environmental dimension (including food waste reduction), processed fruit and vegetable products have an additional advantage. The techniques of freezing and canning foodstuffs were developed many years ago, specifically to respond to a need to preserve food and to avoid waste. Extended shelf-life and convenient portion control are just two examples of how canned and frozen vegetables can help to reduce food waste.
Read full response9 Mar 2021
PROFEL is the European Association of Fruit and Vegetable processors, representing through national associations more than 500 processing companies in 11 Member States of the European Union. Products represented by PROFEL include frozen vegetables, canned vegetables, dried vegetables, deciduous fruit, jams and fruit preserves and frozen fruit.
Canned and frozen fruit and vegetables play an important part to assist consumers to adopt healthier diets. Our sector therefore calls for a more inclusive approach for processed fruit and vegetable products in the Promotion Policy and the Annual Work Programmes.
In past work programmes, a separate budget line has been reserved for the information and promotion programmes aimed at increasing the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in the internal market (products part of Part IX of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council), thereby excluding the entire sector of frozen, canned and bottled fruit and vegetables.
Processed fruit and vegetables have excellent nutritional qualities and maintain vital nutrients during processing. They are a good source of vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fiber and phenolic compounds. Scientific studies confirm that processed fruit and vegetables contribute in a significant manner to the European consumption of fruit and vegetables, and to the intake of essential nutrients in the daily diet. The consumption of processed vegetables can be considered complementary to the consumption of fresh products and helps to meet the nutritional needs of the population.
In addition to contributing to a healthy diet, processed fruit and vegetable products also correspond to policy option 2: focus the policy scope on promotion and information measures on the EU internal market in support of sustainable agricultural production and consumption, in line with the Farm to Fork Strategy and Europe’s beating cancer plan, nudging consumers to healthier diets.
Preserved fruit and vegetable products
- are sustainably produced from predominantly local raw material, harvested from European, seasonally produced, outdoor crops that mature during the crop’s optimal growing period and natural day length,
- can be a valid alternative to fresh produce when putting the emphasis on seasonality,
- can help to make sure that a healthy diet is available for the entire population, leaving no-one behind in terms of access to healthy food,
- offer flexibility in view of changing lifestyles due to their strong convenience factors such as long shelf life; availability all year round and at stable prices,
- help to avoid and reduce food waste both at producer and at consumer level.
In the context of the review of the EU’s Promotion Policy, we therefore call for a more balanced approach, considering processed fruit and vegetable products as part of the solution to move towards healthier diets for the entire population.
Read full responseResponse to Revision of EU marketing standards for agricultural products
16 Feb 2021
Marketing standards for jams/fruit preserves, jellies, marmalades and similar products are regulated in Council Directive 2001/113/EC of 20 December 2001. These standards have played a major role in supporting and promoting a positive evolution of the sector since their entry into force, and have defined the most important parameters for high quality jams and similar products ever since. PROFEL members consider the directive the backbone of the industry in term of quality standards and benchmarking: The directive’s quality parameters serve as benchmark for related legislation, for example provisions for claims and labelling. The directive leaves a certain flexibility to Member States to respect their cultural traditions.
In view of changing consumer expectations towards sugar in jams, the directive allows for deviations regarding a reduced sugar content when implementing the directive at national level, while serving as the reference against which to measure any such national deviations.
With the innovative product range of fruit spreads, an important market segment has developed in parallel over recent years, without putting into question traditional jams as reference products. The coexistence of products manufactured under the Marketing Standards of the directive and a range of high-quality new products outside the scope of the directive has guaranteed the greatest possible variety of fruit-based spreads for consumers, while at the same time continue to meet consumer demand for traditional products with familiar tastes.
Read full responseResponse to Setting of nutrient profiles
3 Feb 2021
We believe that the FIC Regulation is fit for purpose. A revision of certain aspects can be considered to bring the legislation in line with the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy, but we feel that a full re-opening is not necessary.
1) Front of pack nutrition labelling:
• Nutrient profiles: Regulation 1924/2006 provides for a legal basis for the setting of nutrient profiles, in the specific context of restricting the use of nutrition and/or health claims on certain foods. The use of nutrient profiles aimed to govern nutrition and health claims for those aimed at FOPNL needs to be evaluated. Information on nutritional profiles should not be in conflict with FOP labelling regulations. It is important to consider that reformulation efforts made by companies can always be valued, regardless of the nutritional profile (case of the use of “reduction” claims).
• Front of pack labelling: We would like to emphasize the need for clear thresholds to allow for a standardized assessment and respective attribution of scores. A single standardized system, that is easy to understand and easier to apply such as the Nutriscore, rather than traffic lights, could be beneficial. In practice it appears that member states have different preferences or history in the way they represent nutritional information. In case a standardized system for FOP labelling is not achievable, at the very least a common methodology to calculate using the same interpretation of scientific information should be installed, so that equivalence between several systems is made possible. Whatever option is chosen, it is important to consider the necessary concordance of nutritional recommendations and the type of front-of-pack labelling, in order to avoid contradictory messages for the consumer (advice on daily consumption of fruits and vegetables)
2) Country of origin labelling: We repeat our concern on the impact of further extensions of mandatory requirements for origin labelling. In 2015, the study on the mandatory indication of country of origin or place of provenance of unprocessed foods, single ingredient products and ingredients that represent more than 50% of a food, commissioned by the European Commission, confirmed that origin labelling on a voluntary basis would be the least market disruptive scenario and would maintain product cost at current levels. We believe that this conclusion is still valid. In addition, in practice, member states seem to use origin labelling as a means of economic protectionism.
We emphasize the need to accommodate flexibility to enable manufacturers in responding to unforeseen challenges. Fruit and vegetables are by their very nature products that undergo fluctuations, and their supply depends on climate, geography, quality and prices. Seasonal availability for example, can vary geographically, impacting sourcing origins. Additionally, the possibility to omit origin indications on pack and replace them by referring to updated digital information available to consumers, should be considered. That could allow for more cost-effective disclosure of information for some companies, avoiding cost for packaging renewal in the event of changes in the origin, while also avoiding unnecessary waste of packaging.
3) Date marking: We share the European Commission’s objective to halve food waste by 2030. Processed fruit and vegetables are critical enablers in the battle to reduce levels of Food Waste. Frozen and canned fruit and vegetables have a considerably longer shelf life than chilled or fresh food. Research has shown that these products can play a crucial role in helping Europeans reduce their spiraling levels of food waste in the home. For date marking: Option 1 and option 3 could be considered at the same time. Option 2 is not possible for our sector. Option 3: it would first be necessary to propose terminologies that better differentiate “use by” and "best before" dates in national languages where terminologies are relatively similar
Read full responseMeeting with Anne Bucher (Director-General Health and Food Safety)
27 Feb 2019 · Introductory meeting
Response to Legal act to apportion certain concessions between the EU and the United Kingdom (Brexit preparedness)
16 Jul 2018
1. Dried onions: the EU sector of dried onions can support the current proposal
2. Mushrooms of the species Agaricus, prepared, preserved or provisionally preserved: after coordination with the European Group of Mushroom Growers (GEPC) we would like to point out that the 2 volumes mentioned are not consistent with the volumes of the regulation No 1979/2006, which are to date: 30 400 T for EU imports from China (28 950 T + 800 T with the accession of Bulgaria, Romania – Reg. No. 637/2014 and + 650 T with the accession of Croatia - Reg. 2016/2244) and 5030 T for EU imports from other third countries. On the principle, the EU sector can accept to keep the current quota as the UK has imported very few canned mushrooms from China these last years.
3. Preserved pineapples, citrus fruit, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches and strawberries: the European sector of canned fruit can support the current proposal to adapt the WTO quota and stresses the importance of reducing the EU’s import quota for canned fruit in the context of Brexit. For the European sector, it is of utmost importance to adapt also the bilateral quota in the free trade agreements between the EU and third countries, such as the quota for canned fruit in the agreement with the South African Development Community (SADC) of 57.156 tons. Given that around 26% of the EU imports of canned peaches from South Africa are destined for the UK market, these volumes need be reduced from the EU quota when the UK leaves the European Union.
PROFEL(Europe) is the European Association of Fruit and Vegetable Processors, representing through the national associations around 500 companies in 11 EU Member States; producing frozen vegetables, canned vegetables, dried vegetables, deciduous fruit, jams and fruit preserves and frozen fruit.
Read full responseMeeting with Tom Tynan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)
16 Jan 2017 · Business discussion