Consumer choice and standards (L01)

The aim of the programme is to underpin the Agency's Strategic objective to make it easier for consumers to make informed choices. The programme does this by:

• assessing consumer understanding, attitudes and concerns.
• providing a sound evidence base to support the development of effective food labelling and compositional legislation and guidance at a UK and EC level, and international standards such as Codex Alimentarius.
• evaluating the take-up and effectiveness of Agency issued Guidance on food labelling and compositional standards.

The current programme is divided into two components:

• research into consumer understanding, attitudes and concerns on food labels.
• surveys of the labelling of pre-packaged food sold by retail to aid the development of labelling policy.

In the UK, local authorities are responsible for enforcing regulations relating to the labelling of food. The Food Standards Agency assists the enforcement authorities by preparing guidance, providing advice and co-ordinating or carrying out surveys as appropriate. The information gained from surveys on consumer attitudes or take up of Agency recommendation on good labelling practice helps to ensure that consumers are provided with the information they need to make informed choices about the food they purchase.

Labelling issues feature prominently in the Agency's Strategic Plan 2005-2010. There are several targets including surveys on compliance with Agency guidance on marketing terms, country of origin labelling and clear labelling. There is also a target on consumer attitudes to post harvest labelling of pesticides.

Name: Dr Nigel Harrison
Tel: 020 7276 8177
Email: nigel.harrison@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk