Meat labelling 'confuses shoppers'

New research from the Food Standards Agency found 78 per cent of meat and meat products carried a country of origin statement, compared with 69 per cent in 2005.

It also revealed 44 per cent of meat products now displayed the origin of meat ingredients – more than double the figure in 2005.

But worryingly it said consumers were confused about whether ‘country of origin’ refers to where animals were born, raised or slaughtered or whether it refers to where a food product has been produced.

Tim Smith, chief executive of the FSA, said: “Confusion remains over what ‘Produced in the UK’ actually means.

“The issue is not about more origin labelling but the need for greater clarity on the labels on some of our most popular foods.”

He said the FSA research would help inform discussions about a European proposal on food labelling.

“European labelling rules being proposed will require businesses that make origin claims to provide further information, so that people will know where their food actually comes from, not just where it was processed.

“We support this approach as it effectively strengthens and gives legal backing to key elements of the existing FSA voluntary labelling guidance.”

Nick Herbert, Shadow Environment Secretary, said the Government must make clearer labelling obligatory.

“Food labelled British should be born and bred in Britain. Supermarkets have made important steps towards better labelling of meat, but we need the whole industry to act and give the consumer the information they deserve. 

“We need the Government to press for mandatory labelling in Europe, which so far they have failed to do.”

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