'FULL FAT' TRUTH FOR NORTH EAST SHOPPERS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th May 2006

Shoppers are to be given more information about the food they buy as the EU takes steps to clamp down on dubious health claims.

New rules to be ratified by the European Parliament today (Tuesday) will prevent food manufacturers publishing claims on packs unless there is accepted scientific evidence to justify them.

Consumers will have to be told the whole story if nutritional information is contradictory. A product promoted as 'rich in vitamins', for example, might also have to reveal that it has a 'high sugar content'.

Misleading claims such as 'halves your calorie content' that cannot be justified will be banned.

Consumer groups say that the new rules do not go far enough and are calling for a prohibition on all health claims used to promote foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt.

But North East Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall, says the deal strikes a fair balance.

She commented: "Many products providing generally good nutritional value may also have a downside. The important thing is that shoppers are given clear information so that they can make sensible choices for themselves.

"We're putting a stop to some of the more outrageous health claims made by food manufacturers that cannot stand up to even the slightest scientific scrutiny."

No food products will be banned by the new EU law but manufacturers unable to justify claims will have to change packaging and labelling.