Truth about foods for East Midlands shoppers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th May 2006

Shoppers are to be given more information on the labels of food which they buy as the EU clamps down on dubious health claims.

New rules ratified by the European Parliament during the Second Reading of the report this week will prevent food manufacturers publishing claims on packs unless there is evidence to justify them. The amended report it now goes to the Council of Ministers to be examined by national health ministers from the 25 member states for their Second Reading it can become EU legislation.

Consumers will have to be told the whole story. A product which is promoted as 'rich in vitamins', for example, must also reveal that it has a 'high sugar content'.

Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East Midlands welcomed it, saying:

"Many products provide generally good nutritional value but may also have a downside. The important thing is that shoppers are given clear information so that they can make well-informed choices for themselves."

"We're putting a stop to the more dubious health claims made by food manufacturers across Europe which do not stand up to scientific scrutiny."

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