Euro-MP backs food labelling clampdown

10.59.23am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th May 2006

Release time: 16/05/2005 Embargo: Immediate

Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, Liz Lynne, today backed the EU's decision to give shoppers more information about the food they buy as the EU takes steps to against the dubious health claims made by a number of food manufacturers.

New rules to be ratified by the European Parliament today (Tuesday) will prevent food manufacturers publishing claims on packs unless there is accepted scientific evidence to justify them.

Consumers will have to be told the whole story if nutritional information is contradictory. A product promoted as 'rich in vitamins', for example, might also have to reveal that it has a 'high sugar content'. Misleading claims such as 'halves your calorie content' that cannot be justified will be banned.

Consumer groups say that the new rules do not go far enough and are calling for a prohibition on all health claims used to promote foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt.

Liz Lynne said,

"I fully support this new deal, as I believe that it is extremely important that shoppers are given as much information as possible so that they can make informed decisions about the food that they eat."

"Food manufacturers will now be unable to make dubious health claims about products that then do not stand up to scientific scrutiny. This is real progress being made on behalf of the consumer."

No food products will be banned by the new EU law but manufacturers unable to justify claims will have to change packaging and labelling.

ENDS