Who is responsible?!


Question:

Who is responsible?

Who is responsible in the UK if a shop or restaurant is selling something marked with a V and stating 'Suitable for vegetarians' when actually it isn't? Is it trading standards?
I've been in a restaurant recently where 1 dish contained a wine which isn't suitable, and their cheese contained calf rennet (as I saw the containers!)

Additional Details

3 days ago
Could It be magic --- how do I know, because they showed me the container. And I already know the wine that they used isn't. Whingey? Is it do much to ask not to eat dead animals in your food?

3 days ago
Thanks for all the answers guys. I dont mind when something doesn't contain meat, and Isn't vegetarian when you ask. But its the fact that they state ' suitable for vegetarians' that bothers me. I've had a word with the owner, but his English isn't that good, and don't think he's going to do anything about it. I dont think they should stop serving the dishes, just remove the statement. There are food standard rules for using labels stating low salt, low fat, nut free, sugar free but no rules for "suitable for vegetarians" ????

3 days ago
** Think I've found the answer **
Food Standards Agency Say:-
You see a variety of vegetarian logos on food labels.

Products carrying the 'Vegetarian Society Approved' logo must fulfil certain requirements laid down by the Vegetarian Society.

But at present, there is no single legal definition of the terms 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' either at European or UK level.



The 'Suitable for Vegetarians' logo is not regulated. It is known as a 'voluntary claim', which means it is illegal for the labelling information to include anything that is false or likely to mislead.
General labelling laws prohibit manufacturers and retailers from describing a food in a misleading way.


Answers:

Sorry I don't know the answer to this but maybe you could try Trading Standards:

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/consu...

I don't think there's any excuse for marking something as vegetarian if it isn't. If they choose to mark something as vegetarian then they should research it thoroughly or not mark it as such. What if someone was actually allergic to the ingredients?




The consumer Foods information on foodaq.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007 FoodAQ - Terms of Use - Contact us - Privacy Policy

Food's Q&A Resources