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| Minutes
of Foodaware meetings |
CFG
17/04
Foodaware: the Consumers’
Food Group
Minutes of the thirteenth meeting – held on 15 July 2004
At the Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, Kingsway, London
Welcome and apologies for absence
Minutes of the last meeting
EU and UK Update and campaigns
Nutrition labelling
The WTO negotiations
Avian influenza
Salt
Any other business
PRESENT
Members:
Carolyn Allen - Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals
&
Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products
and
the Environment
Paul Allen - European Food Law Association (UK)
Erica Bargeman - European Union of Women
Judy Brander - National Council of Women of GB
Jonathan Clogstoun-Willmott - Age Concern Scotland
Margaret Foss - National Federation of Women’s Institutes
Dr. John Godfrey - ERICA, FSA Consumer Committee
Catherine Humphries - The Cooperative Group
Susan Knox, Chair - Meat Hygiene Policy Forum, Enforcement
Liaison Group
Penny McNeill - General Consumer Council for N.I.
Helen Millar - National Consumer Federation
Sue Payne National Consumer Federation
Jacquie Salfield - Institute of Consumer Sciences, Committee on
Toxicity of Chemical in Food
Shree Om Parkash Sharma National Council of Hindu Temples, UK
John Verrall Veterinary Products Committee
Alma Williams - EU Sheepmeat Advisory Committee and ECOSOC
Anne Wilson - Meat Hygiene Advisory Committee
Foodaware:
Ann Davison - Manager, Member EU Economic and Social
Committee
Lucy Harris - UK Co-ordinator
Jane Jeffreys - Administrator
Apologies:
Gilli Cliff - Consumer Committee - FSA Wales
Dorothy Craig - Veterinary Residues Committee
Janet Graham - Individual member
Sheila Graham - Veterinary Products Committee
Lady Hodgson - Committee on Animal Feedingstuff
Sandie Lawrie - ACNFP
Jeanette Longfield - Sustain
Tom MacMillan - Food Ethics Council
Charlotte Meller - LACORS
Dilwen Phillips - Advisory Committee for Wales
Dave Pickering - Trading Standards Institute
Pamela Pollock - Townswomen’s Guilds
Barbara Saunders - Independent Enquiry into failures in BSE Testing
Michelle Smyth - Consumers’ Association
Katy Waters - National Childbirth Trust
Grace Wedekind - International Council of Women
FOODAWARE BUSINESS MEETING
1. Welcome and apologies
for absence
The Chair (Susan Knox) welcomed everyone to the thirteenth meeting
of Foodaware particularly those who had not attended a meeting before.
Everyone introduced themselves. Susan noted that a number of apologies
had been received and these would be included in the minutes. Pamela
Pollock was congratulated (in her absence) on her appointment as National
Chair of the Townswomen’s Guilds. It was also noted that Barbara
Saunders could not attend a she was busy with the ‘Inquiry into
the failures of BSE surveillance testing in animals between 24 and
30 months’ which was due to report to the FSA Board by the end
of September.
2. Minutes of the
last meeting (CFG 05/04)
Margaret Foss noted that the new NFWI cookery book (mentioned under
Item 5 on page 3) was still to be published - in January 2005. The
minutes were then agreed, subject to this amendment, as a true record
of the meeting.
3. Matters arising
Alma Williams said that school governing bodies were now required
by the Department of Education to have a policy on nutrition. However,
no advice on how to go about this had been provided.
Paul Allen reported that he had recently attended the Consumers’
Association annual conference along with Susan Knox, Ann Davison and
John Godfrey. He told members that Peter Vickory-Smith, who had experience
of the voluntary sector, had been appointed as CA’s new director.
4. EU and UK Update
and campaigns
UK report
Lucy explained that this paper summarized the main activities of Foodaware
since the last meeting and would form the basis of the quarterly ‘deliverables’
report sent to FSA. Paul Allen thanked staff for their work on recent
papers and congratulated them on the high standard of these, for example,
Foodaware’s comments on ‘Choosing health’ (CFG 10/04)
and ‘Putting Consumers First: the FSA draft strategic plan 2005-2010’
(CFG 13/04). Ann added that Foodaware really appreciated the representation
work of members on the various food-related committees.
The current list of FSA consultations was discussed briefly. Lucy
agreed to send Foodaware’s existing policy paper on food labelling
in response to the consultation on EU Food Labelling Legislation (deadline
20 August).
John Verrall suggested that Foodaware should be monitoring the Veterinary
Medicines Directorate’s Review 2001. A major consultation was
taking place on authorisation and marketing legislation throughout
Europe. He also noted that the Freedom of Information Act was affecting
the Medicines Act. A red/amber/green system was being considered which
would determine how much information about specific medicines could
be made available (red = no information disclosed, amber = information
disclosed on request, green = information generally available).
Judy Brander also mentioned a VMD consultation on antimicrobial resistance
that she thought was of interest.
Action: Lucy to check current VMD consultations and
report back on any possible responses. Ann Davison to circulate a
report of a VMD meeting on the list-serve for information. Lucy to
send Foodaware’s food labelling paper (CFG 05/03 rev) to FSA
as above.
EU Update
Ann Davison highlighted the main points included in this update. For
example, she stressed the importance of the EU hygiene package that
had been adopted in April 2004 (applicable from January 2006). She
said the Regulation on hygiene requirements for animal feed had also
been passed in April and completed the “farm to fork”
approach, providing rules on the production, transport, storage and
handling of animal feed. The proposal on official feed and food controls
had been agreed in April as part of the hygiene package, but a number
of compromises had been made, particularly concerning sanctions, import
controls, and covering costs. Ann also noted that the EU’s action
plan on organic farming had been adopted in June.
Anne Wilson said the Meat Hygiene Service was in the process of trying
to get all the new legislation in place and that this was proving
quite a challenge.
5. Nutrition
labelling
Ann introduced this item explaining that EU discussions on possible
nutrition labelling proposals were on-going. BEUC had commented but
the retailers had not as yet. She thought a Commission proposal was
likely to be published at the beginning of 2005. The Consumer and
Environment category of the European Economic and Social Committee
(ECOSOC) was interested in taking this up as an ‘own initiative’
issue largely as a result of Ann and Alma’s influence within
ECOSOC. There would be a good opportunity to push the issue further
under the UK Presidency in the second half of 2005 and Ann had begun
discussions with FSA on prioritising it.
Ann clarified that the paper circulated to members was not a Foodaware
paper but FSA’s comments on the European Commission’s
consultation. These were for information and could also serve as a
starting point for Foodaware’s discussions. It was noted that
the EU’s review of all food labelling legislation, carried out
in 2003 by independent consultants and on which Foodaware sent comments,
was now available and included a section on nutrition labelling.
Members raised a number of points in discussion. Firstly, it was agreed
that improving nutrition labelling should be a priority for action.
Foodaware’s comments should be updated and submitted to the
relevant bodies under the same headings as used in the EU request
for information and FSA’s comments thereon. Members reiterated
their belief that, at the very least, core nutrient information (energy,
fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars) should be mandatory on all food
product labelling (not just those making claims). It was also agreed
that Foodaware could contribute to the debate by consulting its wider
membership on what kind of labelling system consumers understand and
want. For example, if resources allowed, a questionnaire could be
developed for members to use with their own members. This would gather
information on the range and type of information consumers wanted
(which nutrients, print size, ‘may contain...’ labels
etc); how they defined good/bad foods, and on the practicality of
various methods of presenting this information e.g. the NCC traffic
light system).
John Godfrey mentioned that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
had an obligation to cover ‘nutritional safety’ and this
might be a useful heading under which to push for nutritional labelling.
Action: To update Foodaware comments on nutrition
labelling and bring a draft paper to the 4 November members meeting.
Prepare a draft questionnaire for members to use with their own members.
Circulate this on the list-serve for comment before the next meeting.
6. The WTO negotiations
Ann introduced the draft paper and reported on recent developments
on WTO negotiations. She noted that the present round of discussions
had been delayed due to failure to agree on agriculture and on services.
The paper highlighted Foodaware’s support for the reduction
in import tariffs on agricultural products and the elimination of
all kinds of export subsidies. These reforms would benefit developing
countries and also reduce prices to consumers. Ann congratulated Defra
for getting preparatory reforms through the Council of Ministers.
Following discussion with members, it was agreed that the paper should
be expanded in the light of the information from the recent Foodaware/Defra
meeting and also that contained in the EU update. Mediterranean products
such as olive oil should be mentioned as should the opportunity in
new EU member countries for the development of the organic sector
for export. It was also agreed that the last paragraph on the precautionary
principle should be expanded a little.
Action: expand the paper and circulate new draft
on the list-serve for members’ comments. Feed it into relevant
Brussels conference on 17/18 September.
7. Avian influenza
John Godfrey introduced his paper that, he explained, was originally
prepared for Defra and its “Avian influenza and Newcastle Disease
Contingency Plan”. The main conclusion of the paper was that
effective precautionary measures were needed to prepare for further
zoonotic problems of this kind including better facilities to produce
appropriate vaccines quickly and on a sufficient scale. Contingency
planning should take into account the known evolutionary potential
of animal viruses and other pathogens to adapt to the environment
of humans. The most worrying risk from avian flu was that someone
might have an overlapping infection of one of the human flu viruses
with the result that the avian flu became capable of passing from
one person to another. One sensible measure might be for bird handlers
to be given vaccination for any current human influenza virus on a
routine basis.
A number of questions and points were raised in the discussion that
followed concerning how the virus could mutate and circulate within
a bird and/or human population. Members thanked John for the paper
and it was agreed that Foodaware could follow it up with a letter
to Defra. It was also mentioned that the World Health Organisation
had a useful website.
Action: Foodaware to write to Defra reiterating the
concerns in the paper.
8. Salt
Ann introduced the revised paper on salt explaining
that papers from Jacquie Salfield and Consensus Action on Salt and
Health had been used to amend it and recommendations had been added.
Susan Knox reported that she had attended an FSA stakeholder meeting
on salt that morning which had had a number of speakers. Issues covered
included the health implications and cost to the NHS of high salt
intake and efforts by industry to reduce levels of salt in some products.
Recent consumer research had shown that salt was still not a dominant
concern; people do not see it as a major health risk and consider
their own consumption to be low (but are often unaware of how much
is in processed foods).
In the ensuing discussion, members highlighted the following points
and concerns:
- the problem of labelling salt as sodium (required by existing
labelling legislation) and the resulting confusion amongst consumers
as to how much salt is in individual products. This is something
that Foodaware should campaign on in relation to the nutrition
labelling proposal.
- the fact that there were large differences in salt levels in
different brands of, for example, baked beans or pizzas and no
consistent standards were used for labelling foods as ‘low
sodium’. Much clearer and consistent labelling was needed
so consumers could make real comparisons.
- consumers should put collective pressure on manufacturers and
caterers to lower salt levels and government should threaten to
legislate if sufficient action is not taken given the serious
public health concerns.
Members also showed interest in the FSA action plan on salt and wanted
to know what was planned. Margaret Foss referred to WI research on
salt levels in common processed foods.
Action: It was agreed that the Foodaware paper would
be amended again in the light of members’ comments. The final
version should be circulated widely and press released in early September
if possible. Foodaware should raise concerns about ‘sodium’
labelling in relation to the nutrition labelling proposals.
11. Any other business
- Members welcomed the government decision, prompted by the intervention
of the Department of Health, to delay the revision of the BSE
over-thirty-month (OTM) rule in cattle until further work had
been done on the proposed testing regime.
- Members also welcomed Deborah Reynold’s move to Defra
as the new Chief Veterinary Officer. It was suggested she might
be invited to the next Foodaware meeting.
- Members discussed briefly the consultation methods between Defra
and consumers. It was agreed that the Steering Group should explore
these further.
- Shree Om Parkash Sharma explained that his organisation, the
National Council of Hindu Temples, had a large membership and
also formed part of a wider inter-faith network. It had a good
relationship with the Secretary of State for Education and the
Health Minister and could raise issues at that level if that would
be helpful for Foodaware. Susan thanked him for this offer and
emphasised the importance of having organisations such as his
within Foodaware.
- Members were alerted to the advert for new members of the FSA
Board and also of the Farm Animal Welfare Council.
- Ann mentioned that Foodaware’s work had been used by an
examining board, in a primer for A’ level students and also
in primary schools over the last year. Members welcomed this.
It was agreed that the website should be updated in places and
Carolyn Allen offered to help with this.
The meeting closed at 4 pm.
Please note the date of next meeting is Thursday 4 November
2004
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