Draft guidance for consumers in Scotland – country of origin Information on food labels

Key proposal
To produce guidance which gives an easy to read background to the rules on country of origin labelling and highlights those foods where specific labelling rules apply. In addition, through examples based on actual food labels, the guidance helps explain the meaning of some of the terms and logos found on food labels on products sold in Scotland and whether or not they are intended to give origin information.

We would be particularly interested in your views on the following points:

• Do you feel the draft guidance strikes the right balance between being informative yet not overly technical? Is it clear and easy to understand?
• Have we included the right mix of foods? e.g. top quality produce and everyday staples. Are these foods representative of the products that consumers in Scotland buy?
• The labelling examples have been presented using graphics based on the labels used on food available from a variety of retailers in Scotland. It would be useful to know if you find this approach helpful.
• There is growing interest in the European Protected Food Names Scheme i.e. protected designation of origin, protected geographical indication, and traditional speciality guaranteed. Unlike the first two categories, the latter category does not place an origin requirement on foods registered with the scheme. Given the similarities between the scheme logos, do you feel it would be helpful to provide a brief explanation of all three categories to consumers?

Responses
Please send responses to us by close 9 March 2010. Please state, in your response, whether you are responding as a private individual or on behalf of an organisation/company (including details of any stakeholders your organisation represents).

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation, which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.

Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)

Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)

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Data protection form (Word)

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Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator by email: consultationcoordinator@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk