Written question asked by Gordon Birtwistle (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 3 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 2010. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 9 November 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Meat: Labelling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues on the preparation and packaging of halal meat.

Answer: There are no guidelines issued from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) specifically on the 'preparation' and 'packaging' of Halal meat.Meat intended to be described as Halal must be slaughtered in accordance with United Kingdom food law. This ensures the food is fit for human consumption.The FSA recently reissued guidance (first published in 2003) for local authority food enforcement officers on Halal food issues to help local authorities make sure that food businesses comply with food labelling rules which are agreed at European Union level and prohibit false or misleading labelling. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 22728; 518 c242W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2010-1957
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Food Labelling Meat Ritual slaughter
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk