New Guidelines For Country Of Origin Labelling

UK - New guidelines will ensure accurate country of origin labelling on British meat and dairy products.
calendar icon 25 November 2010
clock icon 2 minute read

The ‘Principles on Country of Origin Information’ document has been developed by the trade bodies of the food manufacturing, retailing, commercial catering and hospitality sectors and is backed by the Government. It will apply to fresh meat and processed meat products, such as bacon, sausages, ham, as well as the main dairy products, including milk, fresh cream, cheese and butter.

Based on the labelling practices of the best performers in the food chain, it aims to bring others into line to ensure a higher quality and consistency of origin - information everywhere that consumers buy food.

Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice said: "I'm delighted to see the food industry come together to build on good progress already made in labelling food with the country of its origin. I am pleased that a large number of food companies have already committed to follow the principles agreed today and are encouraging others to also do so. These principles will mean a consistency of information that will reduce confusion and ensure British consumers will be the best informed in Europe."

National Farmers' Union (NFU) chief science and regulatory affairs adviser Helen Ferrier said: “The NFU has been lobbying for many years, both in the UK and in Europe, for action on country of origin labelling on meat and dairy products. This initiative is a positive move and a significant step by the retail, manufacturing and hospitality sectors and they should be applauded. The onus is now on them to take the lead and give consumers the information they need so they can be confident that when they choose to buy British, that is what they will get."

Dairy UK Director General Jim Begg said: "Dairy UK has made no secret of the pressing need for effective arrangements for country of origin labelling for milk and dairy products, particularly cheese. We therefore see this initiative, which has been developed by industry in conjunction with Defra and which, crucially, has the support of both retailers and suppliers, as an important step forward."

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