Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take on the recommendations of the Food Standards Committee for amending the standard for ice cream.
§ Mr. HareMy right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have considered the Report of the Food Standards Committee on the Ice Cream Standard and the representations we have received from interested parties. We propose to accept the Committee's recommendations that the use of the term "dairy ice cream" should be restricted to ices made exclusively from dairy products; that provision should be made for "milk ices"; and that a ban on artificial sweeteners should replace the present sugar standard.
My right hon. Friends and I welcome the Committee's intention to investigate further the possibilities of a standard based on the volume of the finished product and accept their view that, until this 32W is done, the present minimum standards of fat and of milk solids other than fat should not be altered. Details of the proposed amending regulations will be circulated to interested parties for their comments as soon as possible.