Battle to keep British loaf not over, says trade body

The Federation of Bakers (FoB) has said the battle to keep the traditional British loaf is not over, despite a European Parliament decision on Thursday in favour of keeping the current sizes.

The European Parliament agreed to exclude certain products, including bread and milk, from a new law to harmonise packaged food across the European Union.

The FoB feared plans to replace British imperial measures, which ensure our bread is sold in loaves of 400g and 800g, with a European metric system, would make it easy for unscrupulous operators to pass off a 700g loaf as an 800g loaf - confusing and short-changing consumers.

It has spent the last year lobbying MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) on the value of retaining the current prescribed quantities.

FoB director Gordon Polson said: “This is a massive victory for the UK bread industry … and is great news for the British consumer.”

But he pointed out that the European Parliament was still opposed by the European Council and Commission, which have yet to vote on the issue.

“This isn’t the end of the road and we will keep advising MEPs on the value of the position they have now adopted and try to explain to the Council and Commission why this is so important,” added Polson.

Meanwhile, the FoB was awaiting the Food Standards Agency’s announcement on salt targets in food, and was continuing discussion with the Agency on the fortification of flour with folic acid.

The British Retail Consortium also praised the work of MEPs for supporting its call to continue producing and selling milk in pints.