Written question asked by John Hayes (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Monday, 4 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his position towards Directive 2002/67/EC (OJ L191, vol 45, 19th July 2002) on the labelling of foodstuffs containing (a) quinine and (b) caffeine; how many products on sale in the UK will be affected; and what cost assessment his Department has made of the cost of change in packaging.

Answer: Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his position towards Directive 2002/67/EC (OJ L191, vol 45, 19 July 2002) on the labelling of foodstuffs containing (a) quinine and (b) caffeine; how many products on sale in the UK will be affected; and what cost assessment his Department has made of the cost of change in packaging. [77248] Ms Blears: These labelling changes will help consumers make informed choices about consumption of these products. Many manufacturers already indicate when caffeine or quinine has been added as an ingredient and most beverages containing high levels of caffeine already carry a warning to that effect. The new rules do not take full effect until 1 July 2004 and the legislation provides for products labelled before that date to continue to be sold while stocks last. This generous transitional period should allow any necessary changes to be incorporated as part of normal label redesign cycles and therefore ensure costs are kept to a minimum.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 77248; 392 c115W;392 c119W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Costs Consumer information EU law Food Labelling Packaging Caffeine Quinine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk