What the papers say - June 13, 2007

The definition of GM-free food was relaxed last night as European ministers decided to allow a greater proportion of genetically-modified material into products that could still be labelled "GM free". EU agriculture ministers decided that food could include up to 0.9 per cent of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) instead of the 0.1 per cent currently used as the gold standard by leading supermarkets - The Times​

The cost of the weekly food shop is being forced upward by global demand for cereals and dairy products. Higher standards of living in China and India are driving inflation in food prices as a move to a more Western diet has led to a greater demand for meat and milk - The Times​

Food producers will today come under fire for their "hypocrisy" in blaming biofuels for arising food prices. Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers' Union, will launch a strong defence of biofuels at a national conference for cereal producers in Cambridgeshire - The Financial Times​

Employers will be encouraged to spy on staff to enforce the ban on smoking in public places in England under government regulations made public yesterday. New regulations to implement the ban from July 1 will give the go-ahead for a "snoopers' charter" of heavy-handed surveillance and zealous local authority inspectors, said Eric Pickles, the Tory local government spokesman - The Daily Telegraph​

Chocolate lovers who want to watch their waistline could be in for a treat. Cadbury Schweppes is working on a low-fat, reduced-sugar Dairy Milk, which it hopes to launch as part of a push into the low-calorie confectionery market. In addition, Britain's biggest sweet maker is this week launching Maynards Wine Gums Light, with half the sugar and 30 per cent fewer calories than in a standard packet. Low-calorie Bassett's Allsorts will follow this year - The Daily Telegraph​

Food and drinks containing additives linked to behavioural problems in children should carry health warnings similar to those found on medicines, according to experts. A number of preservatives and colourings, some of which can irritate the skin or cause breathing difficulties, are used in popular brands such as Irn-Bru, Diet Coke, Ribena and Robinsons Orange Squash - The Scotsman​