§ Mr. Coombsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list those organisations and individuals involved in all formal or informal discussions on improved food labelling which he is conducting at present and has conducted in the last 12 months;
(2) if he is holding any informal discussions with representatives of the food industry about improved 319W labelling on the nutritional value of food; and whether there is any medical or consumer input to these discussions;
(3) which consumer organisations he has asked to conduct research into aspects of food labelling; and when he expects the results of this research to be available;
(4) when he intends to announce his proposals for the labelling of foods with information on their nutritional value, in line with the recommendations of the COMA report;
(5) with which consumer organisations he is holding discussions on food labelling, following the publication of the COMA report.
§ Mrs. FennerOver the last 12 months my Department has had many contacts and discussions on improved food labelling. These have been with representatives of trade associations, consumer interests, enforcement authorities, commercial companies or private individuals, and cover both formal meetings, ad hoc contacts and exchanges of correspondence. Currently my Department and the Department of Health and Social Security are holding informal discussions with representatives of the food industry about the practicalities of fat content labelling of food. These discussions are covering the fat content labelling recommendations of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy panel report on diet and cardiovascular disease, and also, at the request of industry, nutrition labelling. A medical adviser from the Department of Health and Social Security attends the meetings. My officials are also maintaining contact with consumer interests on developments arising from the COMA panel report, and their views are taken into account in discussions with industry. In collaboration with the Consumers Association and the National Consumer Council my Department has initiated a study on consumer attitudes to and understanding of fat content and nutrition labelling, with the results expected in spring 1985.
We are still considering the Government's response to the COMA panel report's recommendations on food labelling. These recommendations are far-reaching in their effects but I hope to be able to make an announcement within the next three months.