Brooks calls for a change in the law to end misleading labelling in shops and supermarkets

Brooks Newmark this week urges residents across Braintree and Witham to sign up to a new petition calling for clearer labelling on food packaging. Brooks Newmark this week urges residents across Braintree and Witham to sign up to a new petition calling for clearer labelling on food packaging.

The Honest Food campaign launched by Conservatives seeks to end misleading claims and ensure compulsory 'country of origin' labelling. This will mean that meat products, such as bacon, sausages and ready meals, which are labelled British can only use meat that comes from animals born and bred in Britain. Conservatives are proposing a change in the law to make this compulsory.

Research into everyday products on supermarket shelves has identified Tesco chicken dinners "produced in the UK" using chicken from Thailand; Marks and Spencer's corned beef sandwiches emblazoned with the Union flag - but using meat from Brazil; and goods from the Birdseye "Great British menu" range made with imported meat.

The petition can be signed online at www.honestfoodcampaign.com, and the campaign has been endorsed by famous chefs, including Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall, Clarissa Dickson Wright, Prue Leith and Anthony Worrall Thompson.

Brooks says, "People have a right to know where their food comes from, but there is nothing in food labelling regulation to stop food that is only processed here being labelled as British. Conservatives would change the law to prevent unclear and misleading labelling so only meat from animals reared in Britain could carry a British label. This would allow shoppers in Braintree and Witham to see clearly where their food comes from so that they can choose British food with confidence.