Smoky bacon crisps, steak-flavored crisps, and chicken Pot Noodles could be banned from UK shelves under a new EU food labeling regulation that the UK may be required to adopt as part of a controversial Brexit reset proposed by Andy Burnham.
The proposed EU clampdown aims to prevent the use of meat-based descriptions for vegetarian and vegan products, a move intended to "enhance transparency" and avoid consumer confusion, according to the livestock sector that lobbied for the change. Manufacturers would be barred from using 31 meat-related words, including chicken, bacon, pork, and steak, to describe plant-based alternatives.
This potential ban stems from the UK's consideration of "dynamic alignment" with EU rules on food and farming. This alignment is reportedly being offered by the EU in exchange for the scrapping of post-Brexit red tape on British food exports to the continent. The deal is expected to be signed at a UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20.
Critics argue that adopting EU regulations, especially future ones over which the UK would have little influence, undermines the principles of Brexit. Mark Francois, chairman of the European Research Group of Tory MPs, stated that the intention of leaving the EU was not for Brussels to dictate what could be included in a crisp packet.
Manufacturers would be granted a three-year grace period to clear existing stock before the new rules would come into full effect. The regulations would apply to companies regardless of whether they conduct trade with the EU.
Beyond snack foods, the proposed deal may also involve compromises on other areas. The UK government is reportedly seeking an agreement on gene-edited crops, which are currently prohibited in the EU, while facing the likelihood of restrictions on certain pesticides banned by Brussels. Additionally, the UK may commit to annual payments to fund infrastructure projects in less affluent EU member states and is facing pressure from Brussels to reduce university tuition fees for EU students studying in the UK, a move that could cost the UK taxpayer approximately £450 million.
Mr. Burnham has presented the potential economic benefits of the deal as significant, citing Treasury analysis that suggests easing food and farming exports to the EU could boost UK GDP by up to 0.4 percent, equivalent to £12 billion annually. However, this projection has been met with skepticism. A paper by the Growth Commission, citing "flawed assumptions," suggested that aligning with EU regulations in the long term could cost the UK up to £73 billion due to lost opportunities for adopting more competitive rules and potential damage to trade with non-EU countries.