Almost everything we buy has, by law, to have a label setting out the contents so we can be informed of what we are buying.

I recently bought a piece of shelving with a prominent label stating: "At least 30 per cent of the virgin fibre contained in this product comes from well-managed forests independently certified etc, etc."

Quite true perhaps, suggesting we are buying an environmentally friendly product.

Oh, yeah? Almost 70 per cent - more than twice as much - presumably comes from sources that might be very dodgy indeed. Is it saving the rainforest? I think not.

Caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) is as true now as it always was, law or no law. We should not let the truth deceive us.

-John O'Riley, Downs View Road, Hassocks