Labels to f ly the f lag for UK food

SHOPPERS are set to see a postBrexit shake-up in food labels – with Ministers determined to show off Britain’s ‘world-class’ produce.

The Government is drawing up radical reforms for clearer food labelling now that the UK is free of Brussels bureaucracy.

Ministers hope that it will allow consumers to choose home-grown food more easily.

But first, the Government is inviting the public to give their views on how post-Brexit labels should look.

Environment Minister George Eustice fired the starting gun yesterday on a 12-week ‘call for evidence’ for views on the reforms.

He said: ‘British farmers produce food to an exceptionally high standard of animal welfare, and consumers have come to expect nothing less.

‘Now that we have left the EU, we have an opportunity to look at food labelling – and whether the information that we give to shoppers helps them make informed choices. This call for evidence is a first step in ensuring that we fully meet consumers’ needs, and fly the flag for the high standards for which our farmers are renowned.

‘The change has the potential to build a better food system for people and the planet – from farm to fork.’

Mr Eustice also singled out The Mail on Sunday’s ‘War on Food Waste’ campaign, which is calling on every household to cut food waste by 30 per cent to help the environment and boost family budgets. He said: ‘I welcome The Mail on Sunday’s campaign to cut food waste and highlight the ways in which we can all play our part.’

Officials said last night that the proposed reforms, to apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, could ‘empower consumers, to support British farmers and improve animal welfare’.