The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to launch a comprehensive review of food assurance schemes saying they may be confusing consumers.

Food assurance was singled out as an area of concern in FSA research that also revealed consumers had low recognition and understanding of the schemes, and were often baffled by the use and meaning of their logos.

Announcing the review, the agency said it recognised the role such schemes had in raising standards but that it has 'concerns that they may be requiring additional resources, and possibly misleading consumers, without always bringing clear consumer benefits.' FSA chairman Sir John Krebbs added: 'Industry assurance schemes have a role in promoting consumer choice in the market, but it is essential that this choice is both clear and meaningful. We want more truth, less hype.' Assured Food Standards (AFS), the independent umbrella body that licences and audits the 'Little Red Tractor' British Farm Standard logo, was quick to welcome the review.

AFS chairman Chris Barnes said: 'We are pleased that the agency recognises the valuable role played by assurance schemes in raising standards. We look forward to this opportunity to demonstrate further the food safety, animal welfare and environmental benefits being produced by these standards.

'Little red tractor schemes have over 450 inspectors checking standards on farm. An independent board, which includes environmental and consumer groups, oversees these standards. Moreover, we are working with DEFRA, the agencies and non-governmental organisations on strengthening environmental standards in the schemes and we are responding positively to the recent interim report from the Farm Animal Welfare Council, which made supportive recommendations on the assurance schemes.

The FSA review was presented in its submission to the Policy Commission on Farming and Food for England, in which the government body also calls for urgent reform to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It says that CAP is keeping the price of certain commodities more than 20 per cent higher than world prices.

The document also stated the importance of ensuring that developments in agriculture do not exacerbate the difficulties faced by low-income consumers, who must not be denied access to a range of affordable, nutritious food.

According to the submission, the average UK family spends around 16 per cent of its income on food, with low-income families spending as much as 30 per cent. It said that the most important factors for consumers when shopping for food are price, time and convenience.

The FSA says its review will investigate whether food assurance has an adverse impact on the price of food, consumer choice or information. It states: 'Assurance schemes can help to build consumer confidence if they are based on the following principles: transparency; higher food safety standards; independent and regular verification; consistent implementation; and clear benefits to the consumer.' Full copies of the Food Standards Agency submission to the Policy Commission on Farming and Food, go to the FSA website , or the Little Red Tractor home page.