EU gets tough on cereal killers

Tougher rules on tiny toys given away free with chocolate eggs, crisps and cereals are set to be introduced by Brussels, to cut the risk of children choking on them.

The move was welcomed yesterday by Nigel Griffiths, the Consumer Affairs Minister,who said he wanted clarification of current safety precautions taken by food manufacturers.

Britain had been among the leaders in Europe in clamping down on the dangers of the free gifts after three recorded deaths and a series of hospital admissions, he said.

"But we very much welcome the action that is being taken by Brussels. There are no grounds for complacency. As the rules get tougher, we want to keep in the lead. We are taking no sort of relaxed view of this - we want to make sure that no child is at risk."