By Fedima
How the EU can support the sustainable growth of the European bakery ingredients sector.
The food and drink industry is a cornerstone of Europe’s economic landscape and cultural identity, with bread and pastries being a staple of European diets and culinary traditions. However, the bakery value chain continues to face significant regulatory obstacles that hinder progress toward achieving this goal. After listening to our members – bakery ingredients manufacturers across 13 European countries – Fedima has identified the most pressing challenges facing the sector, ranging from obstacles to product innovation to B2B-specific issues, lack of clarity in food safety and sustainability legislation, and climate change concerns.
To support them and the wider European bakery, confectionery and patisserie value chain, Fedima has put forward seven industry recommendations to the attention of European policymakers who will shape Europe’s regulatory framework for the coming years.
Taking sustainability as an example, the lack of harmonized legislation across EU Member States, excessive regulatory burdens and the need for clearer, innovation-driven rules are all central to the challenges faced by the industry. These obstacles not only create confusion but also increase costs for businesses operating across borders and undermine consumer trust. For example, differing national labeling requirements on packaging recyclability means that producers must adapt their packaging and processes depending on the market, making it harder to comply and ultimately achieve the EU’s own sustainability goals.
Overcoming these barriers requires thoughtful legislative consideration. A good example is the recently announced Single Market Strategy of the European Commission, particularly its focus on digital labeling solutions, the proposal for a Barriers Prevention Act, and mechanisms that promote transparency and coordination between Member States.
The adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) also marked an important milestone with placing sustainable packaging at the heart of the EU agenda, an effort that has already made notable progress in improving recyclability and the use of more sustainable packages. Initiatives such as these represent important steps towards greater legal harmonization and certainty for businesses and consumers across Europe, as they will apply in all Member States and create a level playing field.
”Fedima has put forward seven industry recommendations to the attention of European policymakers who will shape Europe’s regulatory framework for the coming years.”
Fedima
For bakery businesses, uncertainty also stems from the threats posed by climate change to the availability and quality of raw materials essential to the bakery, confectionery, and patisserie industries. Changes in weather patterns, increased frequency of extreme events, and rising temperatures will affect agricultural yields, leading to shortages of key ingredients and fluctuations in quality. All such hazards and risks introduced by climate change will ultimately compromise food safety and lead to food insecurity.
To effectively advance environmental sustainability in the baking industry and ensure food security for future generations, Europe must think of legislation that promotes innovation in sustainable agricultural practices, and research into climate-resilient crops, which supports supply chain diversification. A proactive policy approach is needed, to safeguard both the sustainability of the baking industry and the safety of the products it delivers.
As the voice of European manufacturers and suppliers of ingredients to the bakery and pastry industries and with sustainability at the core of our mission, Fedima is committed to advocating for sustainable growth in the future of the European bakery ingredients sector.
