PARIS (Reuters – France offers food businesses up to six months for product label changes to reflect recipes.

Ukraine accounts for approximately half of all global sunflower oil exports. It is also one of most popular edible oils. But, the two-month-old Russian invasion has stopped Ukrainian shipping.

The ministry’s anti-fraud and consumer protection authority stated that companies may request temporary exemptions from French labelling regulations as the industry seeks to replace sunflower oil with soybean, soy, or palm oils.

The DGCCRF said that food manufacturers would still need to give a simple indication about an ingredient change on their packaging within two month, and then provide a complete updated ingredient list in six months.

The labelling grace periods would not apply to recipe modifications that might imply allergies or which compromise claims such as organic or without palm oil.

Sunflower oil is used extensively in potato fries and crispy preparations as well as other food products such as margarine, biscuits, and butter.

You can also buy it in small bottles for cooking oil. There has been a surge in demand from households in France and Europe, which led to shelves emptying in France and other European nations. Some supermarket chains have restricted the number of shoppers who purchase this product.

Global food prices reached their highest ever record levels this year due to all-time highs in vegetable oil prices.

The supply of vegetable oils could be further threatened by Indonesia’s top palm oil producer. In an effort to control domestic prices, Indonesia will ban the export of certain types of palm oil.