Mealbreak? What's that?
On second thoughts I understand it's something taken by safety-critical typists in the office and lorry drivers who have to have one (off the road) after about 5 hrs of driving (this is after the mandatory 15 mins tea-break(!!!Just imagine!!!) already taken in those 5 hrs...)
I believe the risk factor is so small that this precaution is deemed unnecessary to protect fare paying Airline passengers, whereas the government recognises it is essential to protect poultry or bags of cement...
When we were training and accumulating hours the magic CAA phrase "Exempt" signified the saving to us of vast amounts of time and money. That phrase has now come home to roost with a vengeance. Our lives, and those of our passengers are "exempt" the most basic protection given to lorry drivers, shop workers and sheep en route to slaughter. But think of the time and money it saves our employers, so best you recognise the rationale and justice behind this!
Bravo CAA!