Food Labelling (Hansard, 10 July 1986)

§ 2. Mr. Meadowcroft
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has had on food labelling.

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mrs. Peggy Fenner)
We have recently received comments on our proposal for fat content labelling of foods and on guidelines for nutrition labelling, and on European Community proposals for amendment of the EC food labelling directive 79/112.

§ Mr. Meadowcroft
Does the Minister recognise that many hon. Members are getting weary of the complacent attitude towards food labelling and of the Government not going anywhere near far enough? When will the Food Advisory Committee's report on colouring be published, which has been suppressed? Will the Minister go further and issue instructions that labelling must include a warning that the azodyes, the benzoates, the sulphites, the sulphates, the nitrites, the nitrates, and the BHA and BHT additives, all of which are already banned from baby food, are possibly toxic to people in vulnerable groups?

§ Mrs. Fenner
The reasons why those additives are not in baby food is that there are two criteria for food additives —safety and need. If there is not an established need in baby foods, the additive is not put in, so that every additive that is passed as safe in adult food is safe if babies or children should eat it. Otherwise, it would not be in the food. I a sorry that the hon. Gentleman should think me complacent. We have a strict consultation pattern, which 433 is required in the legislation. We issued our proposals on 13 February. We asked that observations should be received by May. We sent out to 700 interested parties, and we are now assessing their comments.

§ Mr. Coombs
As the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy report recommended an increase in the intake of complex carbohydrates and warned against an increase in the intake of simple sugars to make up for the deficiency in calories consumed from eating less fat, how does my hon. Friend expect the consumer to make the right choices in the absence of the mandatory labelling of sugars?

§ Mrs. Fenner
COMA did not request or recommend statutory labelling for other than fats and saturated fatty acids. As my hon. Friend says, it suggested some reduction in other things. I should inform him that sugars are already required to be shown in the listing of ingredients, which came fully into effect on 1 July this year. I should further tell him that COMA advised at the 20 June meeting last month that a panel be set up to examine the effect of sugars in the diet. We shall, of course, consider the implications of any such report.

§ Mr. Pike
While it is to be welcomed that on this occasion the Government are at least consulting, which is very unusual for this Government, when will they cut the waffle and take action on labelling, and ensure that accurate labelling is provided, which is what the public seek?

§ Mrs. Fenner
The hon. Gentleman speaks in contradictions. The Government do consult, as required under the legislation. His Government consulted on agricultural matters as they were required to do under the legislation. He cannot expect consultation and, at the same time, expect us to carry out labelling without taking due account of the consultation requested.

§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
Is my hon. Friend satisfied with the labelling of so-called health foods? Does she think that the description on labels is substantiated by scientific research? Does she not think that the time has come for approved definitions in which the Government would have some say?

§ Mrs. Fenner
Labelling requirements must be complied with. For example, those foods which purport to aid slimming must be labelled extremely carefully. If my hon. Friend has any instances that he wishes to draw to my attention, I shall happily look at them.

§ Mr. Donald Stewart
Can the Minister assure the House, since the fast food merchants have taken considerable umbrage at the slight advances that have been made, that she will give priority to the consumer interests, and that all foods, with relevant cartons, will contain a complete and accurate note of the contents?

§ Mrs. Fenner
The regulations were introduced in 1984. They came into operation fully on 1 July. They require total ingredients listing in order of the amount in the processed food. Every additive must be put on the label in its generic form and with its E number.