§ Earl Baldwin of Bewdleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 20 December (WA 56), precisely what amendments to which directives or proposed future directives the Food Standards Agency is seeking in order that food products should be able to carry consumer information about the reduction of the risk of ill health; and what progress has so far been made in achieving its objectives. [HL500]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The Food Standards Agency has made specific representations to the European Commission arguing for the establishment of an effective and practical system for the verification and approval of health claims at European Union level. It has made the case104WA for allowing valid disease risk reduction claims as an integral part of these arrangements. These initiatives form part of the Food Standards Agency's wide-reaching Food Labelling Action Plan to improve the quality and clarity of information available to consumers. Copies are available in the Library.
I understand the Commission is now reviewing this area of legislation with a view to making proposals later this year.