Consumers face confusion over nectar and juice labeling in Denmark

Consumers are increasingly facing confusion in grocery shopping, particularly with products like nectar and juice. Instances of buying nectar instead of 100% juice have sparked concerns about product labeling and quality in light of climate-related agricultural challenges. Maja Kahn, a political staffer at Forbrugerrådet Tænk, highlights that producers are encouraged to be more innovative when harvests fail, which can lead to lower-quality products hitting the shelves without proper clarity for consumers.

Pia Hernø, a consumer who recently experienced this confusion, shared her frustration after unintentionally purchasing nectar rather than her usual juice. Despite noticing the labeling only after tasting the product, she felt deceived. Hernø emphasizes the need for producers to be transparent and not disguise nectar as juice, urging consumers to be more vigilant while shopping due to the evolving nature of product offerings.

According to the guidelines, juice must be derived from fresh, pressed fruits or be 100% concentrate, while nectar can contain as little as 50% juice, supplemented with water and sweeteners. This discrepancy can mislead customers like Hernø, who expect 100% fruit content from brands like Rynkeby.

In the face of rising prices, Rynkeby positioned their nectar as a more affordable alternative, while acknowledging the difficulty in ensuring consumers are aware of the differences between the products. Coop, another brand, expressed skepticism about improving the clarity of their packaging despite being open to suggestions.

Both producers and consumers are urged to adapt to these changes in product offerings to avoid potential misunderstandings related to food quality and labeling.