§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now reconsidered the provisions in Schedule 4 of the Labelling of Food Regulations, 1967, regarding the size of lettering in which the common or usual name or appropriate designation of a food shall appear on the label of the container; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoyAll the interested organisations have been consulted, and after carefully considering their views, my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, have reached the conclusion that certain amendments should be made. The main 239W effect of the proposed amendments, details of which are being sent to the interested organisations, is that the provisions laying down specific requirements as to the size of lettering will in large part be replaced by general provisions requiring the name or designation to be shown prominently and conspicuously and without undue emphasis on minor ingredients. The position of firms who have already changed their labels will be safeguarded. Amending regulations will be introduced as soon as practicable as part of consolidated Regulations, which will include provisions dealing with claims and misleading descriptions and will come into operation three years after they have been made.