§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received over the past 12 months concerning food labelling; and what action he proposes to take as a result.
§ Mrs. FennerOver the last 12 months I have received many inquiries and representations on matters concerning food labelling. The Food Labelling Regulations 1980 implemented most of the provisions of EC food labelling directive and replaced part of the Food Labelling Regulations 1970. We shall be making further regulations shortly to update and replace the remaining part of the156W 1970 Regulations (which are those concerning claims) and to require the full identification of additives in food labelling.
§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to require the calorific values and nutritional content to be labelled on all packaged food and drink offered for sale in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. FennerIn accordance with the relevant EC directive foods for particular nutritional uses have to be labelled with their energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat content. We shall also be requiring that information in respect of prepacked foods for which slimming or energy claims are made in food labelling regulations which will be laid before Parliament shortly. The EC food labelling directive does not, however, require such nutritional labelling on all prepacked foods.