§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now take steps further to control the use of nutrition claims in food labelling and advertising, as recommended by the Food Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. MacleanFollowing the continuing absence of proposals from the European Commission, the Government are to consult on further controls on the use of nutrition claims in food labelling and advertising. These controls are based on advice from the Food Advisory Committee.
Nutrition claims can provide a useful source of information for consumers seeking a healthy, balanced, 187W diet but there is a continuing need for them to be fully protected from misleading claims and for all claims to be made on the same basis.
The Government have therefore issued, for consultation, draft regulations to implement the Food Advisory Committee's recommendations as part of its general policy to ensure that consumers are properly informed about the foods they buy and eat.
The draft regulations lay down conditions for making claims such as "low fat", "no added sugar", and "high fibre".
The intention is that these regulations will add the necessary pressure on the Commission to come forward with proposals soon.
I have arranged for a copy of the consultation letter and draft regulations to be placed in the Library of the House.