ply many restrictions with respect to processed foods.
Processed food standards are established within the European Community by a formally constituted Food Advisory Committee. With respect to processed foods, the European Community operates a positive list procedure. This procedure provides that any ingredient on the list may be used in processed foods marketed within the European Community, while all other ingredients are prohibited. The European Community positive list for processed foods does not include tragacanth gum, lactylated fatty esters, dioctyl sulphosuccinate, carnitine, cottonseed oil, sesame seed oil, and all oils containing more than 15 percent lauric or myristic acids. The European Community also defines quick frozen foods, and establishes temperature requirements for such foods.
Producers and marketers of ready meals in the United Kingdom seek to increase market share through the development of low price to value ratios. Producers and marketers of ready meals have also established, maintained, and monitored product performance standards. The producers and marketers of ready means in the United Kingdom have been flexible in the development and implementation of strategy to meet changing conditions in the ready meal market environment. New product offerings have been developed as demand changes are recognized.
To a limited extent, producers and marketers of ready meals have relied on a strategy of standardizing diverse market needs. The increasing diversity of the British population, however, has demanded continual modifications of such strategies. Most important of all, however, the more successful producers and marketers of ready meals in the United Kingdom have maintained a focus on the consumer. As the British consumer, as an example, has expressed greater concerns about the healthfulness of food generally, the producers and marketers of ready means have responded by offering new products to...