HC Deb 18 July 1972 vol 841 cc378-9
7. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will obtain particulars of the United States Food and Drug Administration Scheme for indicating nutritional values on packaged foods with a view to initiating a similar scheme of information for consumers in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Mills

My right hon. Friend has particulars of the US scheme which was published for comment on 30th March last and is still under discussion. Our Labelling of Food Regulations, 1970, which will come into force on 1st January, 1973, lay down rules for claims about nutritional properties.

Mrs. Butler

With artificial substances increasingly reducing traditional nutrients, is not it a fact that a little of what you fancy from a food packet nowadays may do you anything but good? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that shoppers are and will be completely in the dark about food values? In addition to the suggestions made in the new fool labelling regulations, will the hon. Gentleman consider a massive extension of the food standards procedure as an additional protection for the shopper?

Mr. Mills

Once again the hon. Lady has shown her interest in these very important subjects. It is important that claims made on labels and in advertisements should be correct and true. Of course we watch these matters most carefully.