Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of food labelling practices by supermarkets; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals requiring supermarkets to label the country of origin on food packaging.

Country of origin information is already required for all prepacked food where its omission would be misleading to consumers, and is required for fresh and frozen meat of beef, sheep, goat, pigs and poultry, as well as for uncut fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil and wine. For processed food, where the origin of the primary ingredient is different to that of the food itself and the origin of the food is given, an indication that the origin of the primary ingredient is different or the specific origin must also be provided. In any case, where an origin or provenance is given or indicated including when provided voluntarily this must always be accurate. Shops and supermarkets will often label their British cheese, hams and bacon when they are made from British milk and meat, helping shoppers easily identify and buy great British produce.