Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable, packaged
Industry PositionFinished Consumer Confectionery Product
Market
Fruit-flavored gummy/jelly candy in Greece is supplied by domestic sugar-confectionery manufacturers alongside substantial intra-EU imports. Greece is a two-way trader in sugar confectionery under HS 170490, with 2024 exports (about USD 69.2 million) slightly exceeding imports (about USD 59.2 million). Domestic manufacturing activity is evidenced by Greek confectionery factories in Attica (e.g., Aspropyrgos/Athens) and parts of the Peloponnese/Western Greece. Market access and product design are governed primarily by EU rules on additives and labeling, with Greece’s Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) conducting official controls. A key compliance watch-out for gummies/jellies is EU additive restrictions, including the withdrawal of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive.
Market RoleTwo-way trader with domestic production; slight net exporter by value for HS 170490 (2024)
Domestic RolePackaged confectionery category supplied by domestic producers and imports, sold through dealer/distributor networks and direct brand e-commerce by some producers
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with EU ingredient/additive or labeling rules can trigger enforcement actions, withdrawal/recall and trade disruption in Greece; a key confectionery-specific flashpoint is prohibited/withdrawn additives (e.g., titanium dioxide E171) and incorrect allergen/mandatory particulars on prepacked labels.Run a pre-market compliance review against Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (label/allergens) and Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (additives), include a specific screen to confirm E171 is absent, and retain batch documentation for rapid trace/recall response.
Food Safety MediumFood safety incidents may result in rapid cross-border notifications and recalls via RASFF, affecting brand access and causing sudden market withdrawals even when issues are detected post-market.Maintain a documented recall procedure, batch-level traceability, and targeted verification testing aligned to the product’s hazard profile (including label verification and ingredient specification control).
Food Contact Materials MediumNon-compliant packaging or food-contact materials (e.g., plastics not meeting EU migration/authorised-substance requirements) can create chemical-safety risk and lead to enforcement and recall exposure for packaged confectionery.Obtain supplier declarations of compliance for all packaging in line with Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and (for plastics) Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, and ensure GMP controls are documented for packaging supply.
Logistics MediumTexture and appearance can be affected by poorly controlled conditioning, humidity, and heat exposure during storage and transport, increasing the risk of sticky product, bloom/surface defects or out-of-spec chewiness on arrival.Specify acceptable storage/transport temperature-humidity ranges in contracts, validate packaging moisture barrier performance, and use conditioning/QA release checks before export dispatch.
Sustainability- Packaging and food-contact materials compliance (migration safety and GMP expectations) is a recurring sustainability/compliance theme for packaged confectionery placed on the EU market
FAQ
Is titanium dioxide (E171) allowed in gummy/jelly candy sold in Greece?No. The EU withdrew the authorisation of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive via Regulation (EU) 2022/63, which entered into force on 7 February 2022, with a limited transitional period for products already placed on the market before the phase-out deadline.
Which customs product heading is typically used for gummy/jelly sugar confectionery?Gummy/jelly candies generally fall under HS heading 1704 (sugars and sugar confectionery). A commonly used subheading for many gummies/jellies (excluding chewing gum) is HS 170490: sugar confectionery (including white chocolate), not containing cocoa.
Which authority in Greece conducts official controls on labeling and additives for packaged confectionery?The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) is a key competent authority for official controls in Greece, including checks on food products and ingredients (such as additives) and on labeling, presentation and advertising, supported by sampling and laboratory testing.