HC Deb 20 February 1984 vol 54 c363W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received in connection with energy claims on food labels; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Fenner

Government medical advisers have suggested that we should prohibit any claim that a food provides more energy than another food or is a good source of energy. Sections of the food industry have been critical of the proposal to introduce this prohibition with regulations, and their representations are being considered along with those from other interests.

Mr. Shersby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to the food industry and to the consumer of implementing the draft amendments to the current labelling regulations which are now being considered by his Department.

Mrs. Fenner

Any costs incurred by the food industry, in changing labels as a result of amendments to food labelling law will be minimised by the transitional period for compliance which will be given. It is not possible to make any reliable estimates.

Mr. Shersby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the definition of "overweight" in the draft amendment to the current labelling of food regulations concerning diabetic foods which is now being considered by his Department.

Mrs. Fenner

There is no definition of "overweight" in the draft amendment. The term is used only in the statement "not suitable for the overweight" which the proposed regulations would require on some diabetic foods, to indicate that they are not "slimming" foods as is sometimes thought. Representations received on the proposed amendments to the Food Labelling Regulations 1980 are still being considered.