No, slapjacks—defined as edible pancakes with a high-sugar glaze—are not explicitly banned in France, but their sale is tightly constrained under food safety and advertising laws. The Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes (DGCCRF) enforces EU Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition claims, prohibiting terms like “healthy” or “natural” for products exceeding sugar thresholds. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the Code de la Consommation further restrict marketing to minors, aligning with WHO sugar reduction targets.
Key Regulations for Slapjacks in France
- Nutrition Claims Ban: DGCCRF prohibits health-related claims (e.g., “energy-boosting”) for products with >15g sugar/100g, as slapjacks typically exceed this. Violations incur fines up to €300,000 under Article L. 213-1 of the Code de la Consommation.
- Front-of-Pack Labelling: Mandatory Nutri-Score display (Decree 2020-1622) requires slapjacks to display a “D” or “E” rating, deterring impulse purchases. Non-compliance risks product seizure.
- Advertising to Minors: The Loi Santé 2026 bans slapjack promotions in child-directed media (e.g., social media influencers under 16) unless sugar content is <5g/100g. Non-compliant ads face 20% of annual turnover penalties.
Manufacturers must also comply with Règlement (CE) 852/2004 on hygiene, ensuring slapjack production avoids cross-contamination with allergens like nuts or dairy. Imported slapjacks face additional scrutiny under Règlement (UE) 2019/2123 for novel foods if ingredients exceed traditional French pancake formulations.