Rutland's MP campaigns to make sure Stilton cheese recipe is not changed
It comes after the National Food Strategy suggested a sugar and salt tax should be introduced
The MP for Rutland and Melton is campaigning to make sure the recipe for Stilton cheese is not changed.
It comes after the National Food Strategy suggested a sugar and salt tax should be introduced earlier this year.
But Alicia Kearns told Greatest Hits Radio that the salt levels in the Leicestershire cheese cannot be changed:
"There are some times when perhaps we all deserve a good amount of salt and sometimes it's absolutely necessary to maintain the quality of a product, and that's where Stilton comes in.
"You can't reduce the salt levels in Stilton, it just can't be done because you would fundamentally change the recipe and it wouldn't be as safe to eat either.
"I have been campaigning to make sure, as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dairy and representing the home of Stilton, to make sure the amazing recipe, the Great British recipe for Stilton isn't changed."
She added that she has now met with the minister for farming and food:
"It was a very positive meeting indeed, so watch this space.
"But I will continue to fight for our geographically protected foods because they are so important for our local economies and they are great symbols of Great Britain."