Kevin, I read the large post from PDQ. And working in local government here in UK and having worked as an editor of US Federal Code for LexisNexis, I understand the problems of cross purposes and duplication of work between agencies.

The cost of implementation of many of the proposals is a worrying one. I imagine the price of food will increase hugely to pay for it. I have always thought it so odd that processed, over packaged and highly marketed foods (tinned, frozen, dehydrated, etc.) was cheaper in bulk than fresh meat, fruit and veg.

Another thing that galls me, in the US is the quality of fresh meat and produce left for supermarket shelves. Restaurants and food processing companies get to cream the best before supermarkets get a hand in. Am I wrong?

And another thing, I find the quality of the fresh food in the UK to be of a much higher standard then in the US, unless I shopped at a farmers market or an organic shop which was way out of my price range.    The fruit and veg are much more flavourful. Is this because there is little or no genetic modification in UK fresh foods?