EU relaxes rules on wonky fruit and veg

Until now, many retailers would not sell any misshapen food but the new rules simplify how produce can be marketed without confusing customers – whether it’s lumpy, knobbly or bent.

Twenty-six types of fruit and vegetables which before were covered by Specific Marketing Standards will now be covered by the General Marketing Standards (GMS), which falls below the old ‘Class 2’ standard.

These fruit and vegetables will now be able to be sold without the impression that that they are imperfect.

These items include carrots, cherries, melons and peas.

So long as it is clean, free from pests or diseases, is labelled with the country of origin, and is not rotten, retailers will able to market it if they want to.

Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “The new marketing regulations will help supermarkets and greengrocers label their fruit and vegetables correctly, and will provide more choice for people who aren’t bothered by what shape their five a day comes in.

“It also means that producers and suppliers won’t be stuck with as many leftovers, so there’ll be less food waste.”

Ten other types of produce remain subject to the stricter Specific Marketing Standards (SMS) although, these fruit and vegetables may be marketed for processing, such as into pies or jams, if they fall below the SMS.