Financial expert warns: Meat and sausage products are often not as regional as marketed - consumer advice center uncovers misleading information about their origin.

Financial expert warns: Meat and sausage products are often not as regional as marketed - consumer advice center uncovers misleading information about their origin.

According to a report by www.tagesspiegel.de, meat and sausage products are often marketed as “regional” even though they actually do not come from the region. For example, a test found that a Holstein sausage was made with pork from the EU. Chicken meat declared as “regional” could also come from several federal states. This misleading not only affects the origin of the products, but also the quality and animal welfare, as the feed often comes from other European countries or overseas. Nevertheless, seven out of 13 tested products refer to a QR code that is supposed to provide further information about the origin, but do not keep this promise.

This misleading can have a significant impact on the market and consumers. On the one hand, the incorrect declaration of products leads to a loss of trust among consumers who buy regional products in order to support local agriculture and act more sustainably. However, if it turns out that the products do not come from the region, this effect is reversed. In addition, the misleading can lead to economic damage to regional farmers who actually produce regional products. Negative reporting of the deception can lead to a decline in sales and damage the brand image of the affected manufacturers. In addition, there could be legal consequences in the form of consumer lawsuits or regulatory measures.

It is therefore crucial that manufacturers of meat and sausage products provide transparent and honest information about the origin and quality of their products in order to regain consumer trust and avoid legal consequences. For their part, consumer protection organizations and authorities must strictly monitor compliance with labeling regulations and consumer rights in order to detect and punish misleading and fraudulent practices. This is the only way to restore consumer trust in regional food.