relaxation of milk marketing rules
As part of the reform of the European milk market, from 1
January 2008 the rules relating to the marketing of milk have
changed.
Prior to this date drinking milk could only be marketed as
full-fat, semi-skimmed or skimmed, and the fat content of each
category was prescribed by law. Thus full-fat milk has to contain a
minimum of 3.5% fat; semi-skimmed must contain between 1.5 – 1.8%
fat; and skimmed milk less than 0.5% fat.
Under the new rules the three existing categories and
descriptions are maintained. However, milk companies will now be
able to sell milk with fat contents outside of these three
categories, such as 1% or 2% fat, as drinking milk as well,
provided it is clearly labelled.
It is hoped that these changes will encourage consumers to
switch to products that have a lower fat content and will increase
milk consumption.
The Drinking Milk (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007 which
implement these changes can be found at:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/pdf/uksi_20073428_en.pdf.
