Tories: Action is needed
Wednesday, 23 Jan 2008 11:42
A lead must be taken now on which system of food labelling should be used in the UK, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has said.
The Conservative MP accused health secretary Alan Johnson of "dithering" on the issue.
Currently producers use one of three labelling systems, including the guideline daily amounts labels and traffic light symbols.
Mr Johnson announced a panel of experts will consider the issue and advise which one system is best. Producers will then be encouraged to adopt this system across the board.
"Over three years ago the government said they would have a system in place. This morning Alan Johnson appeared to have no idea what system he wanted," Mr Lansley said.
"Meanwhile the food standards agency is advertising a traffic light system and the major retailers have adopted three different approaches. I have told the government, since 2004, that we should use a combination of traffic lights and guideline daily amounts."
He added: "If we don't take a lead now, European Commission proposals will mean that Britain's ability to influence this will be lost."