HC Deb 19 December 1991 vol 201 cc300-1W
20. Mr. Simon Coombs

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

Mr. Maclean

The Food Advisory Committee's report of its review of food labelling legislation and practices recommends a number of further improvements in important areas of food labelling to which the Government have already responded positively.

I shall shortly be considering the results of extensive consultation with all interested parties on the Committee's recommendations, along with any further recommendations which the Committee may wish to make as a result of that consultation, before taking any further action.

25. Mr. Evennett

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times he has met consumer representatives during 1991 to discuss food labelling.

Mr. Maclean

I meet the consumer panel and representatives of consumer organisations on a very regular basis to discuss matters of interest, including food labelling.

I have taken the opportunity at these meetings to keep consumer organisations informed of progress on the Food Advisory Committee's review of food labelling, the report of which was published in April this year.

27. Mr. Michael

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what fresh steps he is taking to make the information on the labels of food and food products(a) clearer, (b) simpler and (c) more relevant.

Mr. Maclean

The Food Advisory Committee's report of its review of food labelling legislation and practices, published in April this year, recommends a number of improvements in important areas of existing food labelling requirements, including the presentation of statutory labelling information, to which the Government has already responded positively.

I shall shortly be considering the results of extensive consultation with all interested parties on the Committee's recommendations, along with any further recomrnendations which the Committee may wish to make as a result of that consultation, before making any final decisions and taking further action.