§ 11. Mr. John Huntasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when expects to receive the report of the Food Standards Committee in respect of possible amendments to the cream regulations.
§ Mr. WigginThe Food Standards Committee is at present engaged on its review of the cream regulations, and I do not expect to receive its report before the end of this year.
§ Mr. HuntCan my hon. Friend say whether the committee will consider the interests of consumers, who find that double cream is virtually indistinguishable from single cream, apart from a 50 per cent. higher price? Should not the committee at least lay down that the fat content of cream should be clearly displayed on cartons?
§ Mr. WigginI give my hon. Friend that assurance. Under the current compositional regulations, a minimal fat content of 55 per cent. is required for clotted cream, 48 per cent. for double cream, 18 per cent. for single cream, and 12 per cent. for half cream. The committee will study the figures and, I am sure, take note of what my hon. Friend said.