HC Deb 24 November 1989 vol 162 cc31-2W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress with nutritional labelling.

Mr. Maclean

We are taking an active part in negotiation of the European Commission's nutrition labelling proposals and hope that a common position will be reached soon. The proposals are similar to the Ministry's nutrition labelling guidelines and provide for a voluntary system of nutrition labelling with a mandatory format so that consumers can compare products more easily. Nutrition labelling would be compulsory only when a nutrition claim was made. There is no provision for a three-year lead-in period to allow labels to be changed and, given the close resemblance of the guidelines to the Commission proposals. I hope that manufacturers and retailers will be encouraged to provide as much nutrition information as possible within their resources according to the guideline, until Community legislation is in place. I also refer the hon. Member to the debate on nutritional labelling in Standing Committee on 1 November 1989.