Justin Tomlinson MP has today joined MPs from all parties in signing a letter asking for clearer food labelling on all produce as part of the Labelling Matters campaign.
The letter asks the Minister for Agriculture and Food to apply more pressure on producers to give clear information on the source and treatment of produce, in particular with regards to meat and dairy.
Since 2004 welfare standards have increased, largely due to changes in legislation, but further changes including new food labelling standards would not only help raise welfare standards but also increase consumer knowledge.
Justin has been extremely active in Parliament on the issue of food labelling. He has been fighting for clearer labelling of calorie content with the traffic light system, enabling shoppers to be able to make an easy healthy choice. This has important implications for the fight against childhood obesity, a subject that Justin has campaigned passionately on in Parliament.
By labelling products with their source and their calorie-content, consumers would be able to make informed choices about their daily intake and allows parents to monitor what it is that their children are eating. Justin has also been pushing for clearer labelling on the shelves, with 'price per unit' displays being standardised for all products, including special offers.
Justin Tomlinson MP said, “Allowing consumers to make informed decisions when buying food is important. Mostly, products come from honest and sustainable sources, but when they don’t it is important that is made clear. Then consumers can vote with their feet, avoiding the products where animal welfare has not been a priority and choosing those where it has. This would force producers to change their ways in order to attract business.”