Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 April 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 April 1999. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 April 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will require the labelling of food products to contain information on the age of each ingredient.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require the labelling of food products to contain information on the age of each ingredient. [82002] Mr. Rooker: Consumers need information on the minimum durability of food products, so that food can be consumed within its recommended period and while it retains its specific properties. This need is met by the legal requirement to provide 'use by' or 'best before' dates for most prepacked foods. Information on the varying ages of the individual ingredients would not enable consumers to use food within the appropriate timescale.

Secondary information