92002E1218

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1218/02

by Arlindo Cunha (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 April 2002)

Subject: Food products containing free gifts

On 16 May 2000, the Commission and representatives of the 15 Member States reached the conclusion that, on the basis of the available information, there was no proven specific risk factor involved in attaching free gifts to food products when wrapped separately, as in the case of chocolate eggs, cereals, etc.

In the meantime, studies in Europe indicate that children of various ages have been injured or even killed in accidents involving these products. ANEC, European Association for the Coordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation has been fighting to ban the mixing of food and non-food products. However, unlike the USA, Australia and Malaysia, no legislation to this effect has yet come into force in the European Union.

What measures does the Commission believe should be taken to prevent the common commercial practice of including inedible objects in food products placed on sale, particularly food products destined for children?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1008/02 and E-1218/02given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2002)

The Commission has already answered several previous parliamentary questions on the issue raised by the Honourable Member. He is therefore asked to refer to the joint answers given to Written Questions E-0504/02 by Ms Karamanou and E-0548/02 by Mr Alavanos(1), and to Written Questions E-2630/00 by Mr Moreira Da Silva, E-2631/00 by Ms Damião and E-2632/00 by Mr Lage(2).

(1) See page 153.

(2) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001.