§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on new rules and regulations proposed by the European Community concerning the labelling, storage, use, cooking and servicing of foodstuffs on public premises, stating what consultation has been made with(a) UK local authorities, (b) HM Government and (c) similar bodies in member states of the European Community. [134182]
§ Ms StuartProposed Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council to consolidate and simplify existing European Union food hygiene legislation were adopted by the European Commission on the 18 July 2000. The proposals apply to food businesses throughout the food chain and are intended to reflect a need for clearer and up-to-date rules providing a high level of health protection for consumers.
The Food Standards Agency began an extensive public consultation exercise on 28 July 2000. In addition to making the proposals available on the Food Standards Agency website, copies were sent to all 124W United Kingdom local authorities, all major food industry stakeholders, various consumer groups and other interested organisations. The proposals will be the subject of parliamentary scrutiny in the normal way.
Following completion of consultations, all comments will be analysed with a view to forming a UK position on the proposal.