A new law that will require food manufacturers that want to change the packaging of their products to follow a specific timetable and follow regulations was approved for its second and third readings by the Knesset Economics Committee. The bill is set to come up for a Knesset vote in the next several weeks. It is expected to pass by a wide margin.
The law, proposed by MK Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) is designed to reduce confusion among consumers who find that packaging changes by many food manufacturers and distributors tends to include other changes as well – such as reducing the amount of product consumers get (with the price remaining the same), as well as confuse consumers by changing the location of information about size, servings, calorie counts, expiration dates, etc.
Currently there are no regulations on the matter, and Shaked's law will require manufacturers and distributors to announce several months in advance that the packaging will change, and to provide details on where important information about the product will be located on the new packaging. In addition, the law will require companies to disclose whether or not the package change expenses will be passed on to consumers.
“The law will reduce the confusion and regulate the matter of packaging, which until now has not been under anyone's supervision, despite the fact that it affects everyone,” said Shaked.