The Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted the Decree Amending and Supplementing the Decree on Additional Requirements for Placing on the Market Products Containing Palm Oil, Palm Fat, or Other Vegetable Oils and Fats, which shall enter into force on 1 August 2025.
The Decree introduces new standards for the labeling and presentation of food products containing palm oil or other vegetable fats, including but not limited to:
- Fermented dairy products, cheeses, dairy spreads, and desserts;
- Baked goods with fillings containing dairy components (e.g., burek, pies, strudels);
- Pizzas containing dairy ingredients
The Decree also establishes a prohibition on the use of images depicting dairy products for the labeling of products that, in fact, contain vegetable fats. It further requires clear and prominent visual labeling, even on small packaging units.
Transitional period: Products that have already been placed on the market and are not in conformity with the new requirements may remain in circulation until the end of 2025, provided that they are clearly separated from actual dairy products to avoid misleading consumers.
The purpose of this regulation is to:
- To enhance transparency and consumer protection, responding to the growing public demand for clear and accurate information on product composition.
- To align with broader European trends aimed at combating “nutritional deception” and ensuring more precise declarations, particularly in cases where vegetable-based substitutes are used in place of dairy or meat ingredients.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.