Thank you for your letter of 16 October 2007[132] lifting scrutiny of the above proposal and seeking further information on the role that the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will play in the delivery of the programme of action set out in the Commission's White Paper on nutrition, obesity and related health matters.

  The FSA's contribution is likely to be in three distinct areas: delivery in the UK or partnership work with industry to help consumers make healthier choices; negotiating on behalf of the UK Government during the development of Community legislation; and helping to share UK experiences and successes with others across Europe.

  The White Paper identifies improved consumer information and the reformulation of processed foods as priority areas in which National Governments should work in partnership with industry. This is exactly the model that the UK Government has pursued to date in these areas, and the FSA has led on much of this work, most notably in the development of a front of pack signposting system, and the engagement with industry that has driven salt reductions. This work will continue, and will expand as the FSA takes forward a Saturated Fat and Energy Intake Programme, of which reformulation, portion size and consumer awareness will be key components.

  The Commission is expected shortly to publish proposals on Nutrition Labelling, and negotiations continue on the technical annexes to the Nutrition and Health Claims Directive agreed earlier this year. The FSA will represent the UK Government during negotiation on both of these dossiers.

  The UK Government will also continue to take opportunities to share with others in Europe our experiences in tackling obesity and diet related diseases, and the many best practice models we have developed. The FSA will again play an important role in this area, one example of which relates to the Commission's work to establish a Europe-wide salt reduction initiative. I understand that FSA officials have met a number of times with the Commission to share their experience in this area, and the FSA will also provide official support to the UK representative of the High Level Group, when the group discusses the issue.

  In comparison to the executive, risk management and risk assessment roles of the UK FSA, the remit of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in relation to nutrition is less broad. However, EFSA will have an important role in assisting and advising risk managers, such as the Commission and European Parliament, in the delivery of the White Paper. For example, it is currently working on the setting of Population Reference Intakes for energy and selected nutrients. In its risk communication role, it intends to provide advice to assist Member States in translating nutrient recommendations into food-based dietary advice that consumers can easily follow. EFSA is also looking at the harmonisation of food consumption data across the EU and has begun work to develop nutrient profiles for foods that will be permitted to bear nutrition and health claims.

6 November 2007