Certifications & labels

A

AB organic label (Agriculture Biologique) The official French label guaranteeing that a product comes from organic farming (at least 95% organic ingredients), without…

B

Best before date (DDM in France) An indicative "best before" date showing how long a product keeps its optimal qualities, which can be passed…

F

Fair trade (Fairtrade) A label guaranteeing producers (often in the Global South) fair pay and decent working conditions, regardless of the… Food labels Official or private marks placed on foods to certify an origin, a method of production or a level…

G

Gluten-free A regulated claim (under 20 mg/kg of gluten) essential for people with coeliac disease, but now a food… GMOs (genetically modified organisms) Organisms whose genetic material has been altered by genetic engineering, regulated in Europe by mandatory labelling and excluded…

H

Health claim A statement on a product asserting a health benefit, strictly regulated by European rules that allow only scientifically…

L

Label Rouge An official French quality mark guaranteeing that a product has superior taste quality compared with a similar standard…

N

Nutrition labelling Mandatory information on packaging (energy and nutrient values per 100 g) that lets consumers compare and choose products.

O

Organic farming A production method governed by a European regulation that excludes synthetic pesticides and fertilisers as well as GMOs,…

P

PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) A European label guaranteeing that a product is entirely made (production, processing, preparation) within a defined geographical area,… PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) A European quality mark linking a product to a geographical region where at least one stage of its…

T

Terroir The combination of a natural environment, human practices and know-how that gives a product identifiable characteristics, the idea…

U

Use by date (DLC in France) A mandatory "use by" date shown on microbiologically highly perishable foods, after which the product must no longer…