Food: Packaging

Mr. Illsley
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to bring forward proposals for sanctions on companies using excessive packaging on their products; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Lucas
I have been asked to reply.

The UK's Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 (as amended) aim to ensure that all packaging is manufactured to ensure that the weight and volume are limited to the minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product and for the consumer.

These regulations are enforced by Trading Standards Officers (TSOs) in local authorities. TSOs investigate complaints about companies using excessive packaging on their products and the regulations contain penalties that the courts can impose if those companies are found not to have complied.