The UK has put together its draft Meat Products (England) (Amendement) Regulations 2008 following the revocation of EU Council Directive 77/99.EEC. Under this directive it was only necessary to mention starch and proteins added to meat products in the name of the food if these ingredients were used for non-technological purposes.

However from January 1 2006 the new EU regulation came into effect that calls for added starch and protein exceeding the guidance threshold level of one per cent, to be preferably declared in the name of the food product itself.

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), exercises conducted at both UK and EU level to identify issues on labelling of added ingredients in meat have "all reported problems".

The FSA is proposing to make the changes at a national level so as not to infringe the EU directive. It is expected that parallel proposals will also be made for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The aim of the change is to give clear information about the content of a meat product to consumers, so that they can make informed decisions about what they buy and eat.

At the same time, the FSA says its guide to compliance and best practice should reduce administrative burdens on the industry, and set out common understanding of the regulation for both industry and enforcers.

To do this, the government agency says it has taken care to make a distinction between legal requirements and best practice advice.

The idea is to allow fair competition, and to encourage consistent enforcement across the industry. The guidance is meant for the benefit of the food industry at all levels - manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers,

catering compabies, enforcement officers and importers.

The new EU directive relates to meat products that look like just plain meat - such as a cut, joint, slice, portion or meat carcase or cured meat - but which in fact contain added starch or protein.

Moreover, it only applies to protein of vegetable origin or from the same animal as the meat itself. Proteins of animal origin that are derived from a different species are not covered by the proposal but remain under the existing regulation 5(2)(a) of the MPR 2003.

"These amendments implement changes to European legislation resulting from revocation of Council Directive 77/99/EEC," said the FSA. "The general labelling provisions of the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (as amended) (the FLR) will continue to apply, as will the Food Safety Act 1990."

The government agency has given a deadline of November 30 for receipt of comments from stakeholders.

This represents an extended consultation period "so enforcement and industry have enough time to prepare for the implementation of the amending legislation". But it is preposed that the changes should come into force on April 6 2008 - the EU common commencement date.

In addition to the guidance on labelling of added ingedients in MPR regulation 5, meat products, the FSA is also seeking comments on the overarching Meat Products (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008

Both are included in the same consultation package since they both relate to regulation 5 of the Meat Products (England) Regulations 2003. However each comes with its own Regulatory Impact Assessment.