Czech yoghurt can no longer be labelled as “Greek”

The Czech Government overturned a law enacted in 2016 that had been found to be in violation of European Union’s rules regarding fair consumer practices.

According to this law, Czech companies could produce yoghurt labelled as “Greek”.

Greek authorities had lodged complaints regarding the rules that could misdirect consumers seeking authentic Greek yoghurt.

Though the name “Greek yoghurt” is not protected by geographical indication, it is a fundamental requirement of the European Union rules on food information that food labelling must not mislead consumers as to the characteristics of food including its identity and origin.

The Czech government has now amended its national legislation to no longer allows for the production of Czech yoghurt labelled “Greek”.

EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis welcomed Czech lawmakers decision.