Legal loophole over UK packaged meat exposed
being used by manufacturers to mislead UK consumers over the amount
of fat in packaged mince.
The agency claims that consumers are often being misled by minced meat labels that claim that the product contains less fat than it actually does.
In the case of products claiming to be 'extra' or 'super' lean, some in fact contained as much if not more than 'lean' mince.
Under UK law, manufacturers do not have to specify a maximum fat content for mince unless it is sold under a specific name, such as 'lean minced meat', when the fat content must not exceed 7 per cent.
But if mince is described in any other way, for example 'minced meat lean', then the law does not apply.
"Consumers expect products described as 'extra' or 'super' lean to contain less fat than 'lean' mince," said David Statham, director of enforcement and food standards at the FSA.
"Indeed people often pay a premium price for such products, and yet this survey highlights the fact that some of the products described as 'extra' or 'super' lean actually contain as much fat, if not more, than 'lean' mince."
In order to see if consumers are getting accurate information from packaged meat manufacturers, the FSA looked at 561 samples of fresh and frozen minced meat, including 444 samples of beef.
The survey compared the fat content of 'standard' minced meat with mince claiming to be 'lean' or 'extra/super lean'. It also checked whether the fat content on the nutrition labels was accurate.
The results of this result suggested to the FSA that consumers were indeed not receiving accurate information.
The agency found that the amount of fat in standard beef mince ranged from 1.9g to 32.3g per 100g, while several samples of 'extra' or 'super' lean mince had actually higher fat contents than some 'lean' mince.
The agency also discovered that 55 of the 308 samples giving nutrition information on the label contained more fat than the label claimed.
"The agency now intends to consult on the development of its own guidelines for the terms that are used to describe the fat content of mince," said Stratham.
"We want food manufacturers and retailers to sign up to clear definitions and descriptions and ensure that their products meet them."
The FSA is now keen to take action on this issue, pointing out that the Food Safety Act clearly states that food must not be presented or described in a way that misleads the consumer.
In addition, minced beef guidance devised by the Association of Public Analysts (APA) state that 'lean' beef should contain no more than 16g of fat and 'extra/super lean' beef mince no more than 9g of fat per 100g.
"The agency now intends to consult on the development of its own guidelines for the terms that are used to describe the fat content of mince," said Stratham.
"We want food manufacturers and retailers to sign up to clear definitions and descriptions and ensure that their products meet them."
