§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the amount of water in chickens, which is restricted in the case of frozen chickens,
762Wmuch, in real and in percentage terms, the cost of dairy cake has increased for each of the last 10 years; and what has been the increase, expressed in a similar manner, in the price of milk paid to the farmer over the same period.
§ Mr. BishopIndices of prices of dairy compounds in cake form and of producer prices of milk, together with indices showing price movements in real terms, are as follows:
is similarly restricted in fresh chickens; and if he will take steps to ensure that all retail points selling chickens, fresh or frozen, should display adequate information about the bird for the use of consumers.
§ Mr. StrangCouncil regulation (EEC) No. 2967/76 of 23rd November 1976 lays down common standards for the water content of frozen and deep-frozen chickens, hens and cocks only. This regulation will be implemented in full from 1st December 1977. The presence of added water in fresh chickens and the need for labelling requirements concerning added water for all chickens is currently being considered by the Food Standards Committee as part of its review of water in food. United Kingdom legislation already requires that the true nature of all prepacked food should be indicated on the label.