To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the merits of banning the sale of food containing hydrogenated fats. (84713)

The Government have no plans to ban the sale of foods containing hydrogenated fats. There have been concerns expressed about hydrogenated fats due to their high level of trans fatty acids (TFA). The average consumption of TFA is below the maximum level recommended by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy in 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce regulations requiring fast food outlets to publish nutritional information about their products in an easily accessible and public form. (84715)

There are no plans to introduce regulations of this sort. The Food Standards Agency encourages catering establishments, including fast food outlets, to voluntarily provide information about the nutritional content of the food they serve to help consumers who wish to use such information to inform their choices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the merits of making the traffic light system for nutritional information on food packaging compulsory for all forms of packaged food. (84716)

The Government currently have no plans to make front of pack signpost nutritional labelling compulsory. Responsibility for food labelling lies with the European Union and the rules are harmonised across Europe. The European Commission wishes to update the existing nutrition labelling legislation and recognises the need for simpler nutritional information which will help the consumer to make healthier choices. Formal proposals are expected from the Commission next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the voluntary traffic light system for nutritional information on food packaging. (84717)

Comprehensive consumer research with more than 2,500 participants conducted by the Foods Standards Agency (FSA) has shown that the Government-endorsed approach recommended by the FSA helps consumers across all population groups make healthier choices. The vast majority of consumers (96 per cent.) thought a simplified front of pack nutritional signposting scheme would help them make healthier choices.