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<p>We are satisfied that compliance with EU Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision
of food information to consumers and General Food Law Regulation (EC) 178/2002 together
ensure that the labelling and advertising of food must not mislead the consumer. EU
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 ensures that pre-packaged loaves display a full ingredient
list, while the exemption of loaves sold at the point of production is made in the
interests of small businesses and bakeries, reducing unnecessary regulatory burden
while retaining essential, relevant information for the consumer.</p><p>EC Regulation
1333/2008 adequately defines the approved additives and their conditions of use in
bread. These requirements, together with guidance on terms such as ‘hand-made’, ‘Farmhouse’
and ‘home-made’ used by food businesses and trading standards officers, already provide
robust protection to consumers against misleading practices. However if a consumer
does think that they are being misled by bread labelling, they should seek advice
from their local trading standards office.</p><p> </p><p>A restricted number of additives
are permitted in sourdough bread under EC Regulation 1333/2008 – there are no plans
at present to change these. There are many products on the market that do not have
definitions set out in legislation, however there are general rules in place to protect
consumers. The Bread & Flour Regulations 1998 contain a few, limited definitions
but the focus of the legislation is on the fortification of white and brown flour
with certain nutrients, mostly for restorative purposes.</p><p> </p><p>There are no
current plans to include a legal definition for sourdough within the Bread and Flour
Regulations 1998 but the baking industry itself may consider agreeing a code of practice
about what should be described as a UK sourdough bread.</p><p> </p>
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