THE "food police" have decided that if we buy a packet of thin, dry tasteless ham, labelled "Parma ham", it must actually come from that city.

Good grief! You would think that in a world where random suicide bombings are rife, where SARS is out of control, gangsters are ruling the streets and asylum seekers are milking our coffers dry, that where or where not Parma ham comes from would be the least of our problems.

It would appear to be absolutely all right for bakers to sell French sticks, greengrocers to sell Brussels sprouts and takeaway outlets to sell Neapolitan pizzas. Do they really fly these commodities - freshly made - from those fair countries into Britain every day?

I don't think so!

So I have decided to become a one-woman crusade. From now on I shall insist (in a politically correct way of course) that whatever I buy must come from the place stated on the label.

My first buy will be a Mars Bar!

Ella Hirst,

Coggan Close,

South Bank, York.

Updated: 09:01 Saturday, May 24, 2003