From February 17, 2026, retailers in Poland must apply new rules for product labeling. Loose fruits and vegetables will need not only written information about the country of origin but also a visible graphic symbol in the form of a flag. This change aims to increase transparency for consumers and facilitate conscious support for domestic food producers. Retailers face severe financial penalties for lacking proper labels.

Requirement for Graphic Presentation

Retailers must place the flag of the country of origin next to loose fruits and vegetables from February 17, 2026.

Extension of EU Standards

New regulations by the Ministry of Agriculture extend European Union standards, which previously required only the country name in writing.

Retailer Responsibility

The store owner is responsible for the lack of flags, and the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) oversees the new law, planning strict controls.

From Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a groundbreaking regulation by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development comes into force, significantly changing how products are presented in Polish stores. Every retailer offering fresh fruits, vegetables, and bananas without individual packaging, commonly referred to as „loose”, will be required to place a graphic depicting the flag of the country of origin next to them. Until now, EU regulations required only written forms, which, according to the ministry, were often unclear for buyers. The new regulation aims to eliminate errors and introduce a uniform visual standard in all retail outlets, from local greengrocers to large hypermarket chains. The introduction of graphic origin labels for food relates to the ongoing debate in the European Union about the consumer's right to full information, initiated partly after major food crises at the turn of the century. Compliance with the new regulations will be monitored by the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection. Officials emphasize that the retailer, not the supplier, is directly responsible for the accuracy and presence of labels. Introducing flags is intended not only to facilitate orientation but primarily to promote economic patriotism by making it easier to identify Polish products. Past experiences with trade standards indicate that consumers increasingly seek goods with short supply chains. February 17 — The obligation to display flags comes into effect Experts such as Karolina Kaszuba point to the necessity of quickly adapting price display systems in retail establishments. Failure to comply with the new requirements risks financial penalties imposed by inspectors during routine checks. The Ministry of Agriculture argues that visual information is much more effective in mass communication than fine print on price tags. „The consumer has the right to full and transparent knowledge about the products they purchase.” — Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Changes in labeling loose food: : → ; : →

Mentioned People

  • Karolina Kaszuba — Expert commenting on the details and consequences of introducing new product labeling rules.