Written question asked by Brian Iddon (Labour) on Monday, 11 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the work of the Food Standards Agency in previewing food labelling in respect of proposals that will provide consumers with accurate and comprehensive information about the contributions of some food products to the reduction of disease risk exposure; and if he will make a statement; what steps he is taking at a European level to promote initiatives to improve labelling information for consumers of food products to provide accurate and comprehensive information about the contributions of certain food products in the reduction of disease risk exposure; and if he will make a statement. - Includes ref to summary of changes published by FSA, copy in Library.

Answer: Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the work of the Food Standards Agency in previewing food labelling in respect of proposals that will provide consumers with accurate and comprehensive information about the contributions of some food products to the reduction of disease risk exposure; and if he will make a statement; [142707] (2) what steps he is taking at a European level to promote initiatives to improve labelling information for consumers of food products to provide accurate and comprehensive information about the contributions of certain food products in the reduction of disease risk exposure; and if he will make a statement. [142763] Ms Stuart: We have accepted the advice of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that in the interests of informed consumer choice, European Union legislation should allow those foods which play a role in reducing the risk of certain diseases to make relevant claims. It has also agreed that there should be an effective and practical system at EU level for the verification and approval of such claims. The FSA is pressing the European Commission to amend European Community food labelling rules to improve the level and clarity of information on food labels. A summary of the changes being pursued has been published by the FSA in its action plan on food labelling, copies of which are available in the Library.

Secondary information