Full fat truth for shoppers - Watson

4.12.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th May 2006

Nutrition claims on food packaging will now have to be backed up with scientific evidence

Graham Watson, the Lib Dem MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, has welcomed new rules that mean shoppers are to be given more information about the food they buy as the EU takes steps to clamp down on dubious health claims.

New rules today adopted by the European Parliament will prevent food manufacturers publishing claims on packs unless there is accepted scientific evidence to justify them.

Speaking after today's vote, Graham commented:

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

"We are putting a stop to some of the more outrageous health claims made by food manufacturers that cannot stand up to even the slightest scientific scrutiny. Research has shown that more than one in two consumers trust nutrition claims on packaging so ensuring that labels show reliable information is important."

Consumers will now have to be told the whole story if nutritional information is contradictory. A product promoted as 'rich in vitamins', for example, might also have to reveal that it has a 'high sugar content'. Misleading claims such as 'halves your calorie content' that cannot be justified will be banned.

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