Proposal for a new regulation on the provision of food information to consumers: note of consultation launch meeting

Tuesday 19 February 2008

The Food Standards Agency hosted a meeting for stakeholders on 15 February 2008, to launch the Agency’s formal consultation on the Commission’s labelling proposal. This was an opportunity for about 100 stakeholders to receive information and give initial views.

Stephen Pugh (Head of Food Labelling and Marketing Terms Branch) provided some background to the proposal, outlined the main points it covers and explained the next steps so far as the Agency’s activities are concerned.

Michael Wight (Head of Labelling, Standards and Allergy Division) then opened the discussion to give those present an opportunity to ask questions, highlight any particular areas of concern or make observations. Points were raised around the following main areas of the proposal:

Nutrition labelling

• the Commission's intended interpretation of 'carbohydrates with specific reference to sugars'
• Annex IV – products exempt from nutrition labelling and the Commission’s intended interpretation definitions of such products
• front of pack signposting – the Agency’s scope to make mandatory

The scope of the regulation

• whether advertising was included

Distance selling

• the definition of the conclusion of a sale

The Impact Assessment

• consideration for the loss of sales for the time spent for familiarisation with the Regulation not just the cost of the time
• consideration of the cost of any recent label re-printing that may have been required
• the possibility of common commencement dates

Country of origin labelling

• whether the new rules will prevent consumers being misled and the complexity of extending this widely

Foods sold loose

• the Agency’s planned way forward with regard to information provision to consumers

Derogations

• the possibility for additional derogation for products delivered in much the same way as milk (such as orange juice in glass bottles)

National schemes

• the Commission’s intended interpretation of Article 44(1) and 44(2) on National Schemes
• possible confusion between the definitions of National Schemes and National Provisions

Minimum font size

• the intended and unintended implications on businesses
• possible environmental impact
• the difference between font size and print size

Ingredients listings for some alcoholic beverages

• competition difficulties surrounding including some products but not others

Net quantities

• difficulties for products which are currently sold in quantities rather than weights

Other issues

• how the regulation will affect airlines – whether the destination will have an effect
• the impact the proposal may have on the Agency’s revisions to guidance on country of origin and clear labelling
• whether the final legislation will incorporate any labelling legislative changes make in the interim