Belgian government working on new "mayonnaise law"

[Archy]

 The Belgian government is working on new legislation concerning the composition of mayonnaise, one of the most popular Belgian toppings on dishes and part of the classic Belgian dish "frieten met mayonaise" (chips with mayonnaise). That's according to reports in De Morgen and Het Laatste Nieuws. The present law that goes back to 1955 is obsolete, manufacturers claim, considering the many types of light versions popping up.

A Royal Decree states that real mayonnaise should contain at least 80 per cent fat and 7.7 per cent yolk. This irritates Belgian producers in times when more people are thinking more about what they eat, with an increasing demand for light products.

"This situation is no longer tenable", explains Nicholas Courant as spokesman of the Belgian federation representing the food industry, Fevia. "Belgian manufacturers are suffering from unfair competition. Producers abroad don't have to follow these regulations. They can produce mayonnaise with less fat to meet the increasing demand for toppings and sauces containing fewer calories."

Belgian stores are now selling Spanish mayonnaise with only 65 per cent fat and Dutch mayonaise with 65 per cent fat. "If we want to sell the same type of mayonnaise in Belgium, we have to label it as 'salad dressing' which makes it less attractive", Belgian producers say.

Belgian topping suppliers want the 60-year-old legislation to be adapted, but consumers' organisations are afraid that this will harm the authentic recipe and the quality of Belgian mayonaise.

The Belgian minister responsible for Consumers' Affairs, Kris Peeters, is bringing the different parties together "after years of discussions" to work out a proposal to adapt present legislation. One solution would be to create two types of mayonnaise under Belgian law: 'traditional' mayonnaise (80% fat and 7.5% yoke) and 'normal' mayonnaise (70% fat and 5% yolk). A change would have no impact on the legal composition of Belgian mustard.

http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/News/1.2390824

To stay complete within the stereotype.  Our Politicians finding out what the real problems are

[MadImmortalMan]

It's Belgium. The country threatens to disintegrate whenever they work on anything important.

[Monoriu]

It's Belgium. The country threatens to disintegrate whenever they work on anything important.

Could be a blessing.  So their government can't do anything to screw things up 

[Maximus]

Belgium has a government?

[Archy]

The best line is in the end of the article.  Luckily the change won't affect the content of Belgian musterd

[Josquius]

I think Belgium is just trying to piss off the Greeks; the Greeks have to make life or death decisions every day....the Belgians talk about mayonaise.

[Monoriu]

Prior to this thread I have no idea that Belgian mayonnaise is supposed to be well-known.  I just buy Kraft mayonnaise 

[Eddie Teach]

I buy French's ketchup and Heinz mustard.

[Duque de Bragança]

La mayonnaise du gouvernement belge prendra-t-elle ? Ou tournera-t-elle au vinaigre ?

[Martinus]

Good to see those three years of coalition building finally paid off.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Belgium has a government?

6

[Archy]

Belgium has a government?

6

What is good doing once, is even beter when done six times