A new food labelling system to warn shoppers of high calorie and fat content will be unveiled by ministers today, but it will be up to supermarkets as to whether they implement the voluntary system.
At the moment supermarkets use an array of labels Photo: PA
Under the plans, shoppers will be able to make “healthier choices” about the food they buy, according to Anna Soubry, the Public Health Minister.
The new labels will show how much fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar and calories are in each product.
The labels, which should be in use by next summer, will combine ‘traffic light’ colour-coding, guideline daily amounts and other information.
Although the system is voluntary, the Department of Health (DH) has carried out a three-month consultation with retailers, manufacturers and “other interested parties” on what the consistent, clear front of pack label should look like.
Currently, supermarkets use their own systems, each displaying the information with different visuals, colour and content. The DH said the current approach makes it hard for consumers to compare food.
Ms Soubry said: “The UK already has the largest number of products with front of pack labels in Europe but research has shown that consumers get confused by the wide variety of labels used.
“By having a consistent system we will all be able to see at a glance what is in our food. This will help us all choose healthier options and control our calorie intake.”
She said that obesity and poor diet cost the NHS billions of pounds every year.
“Making small changes to our diet can have a big impact on our health and could stop us getting serious illnesses – such as heart disease - later in life,” said Ms Soubry.
Consumer groups welcomed the news and said that most supermarkets were on board.
Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which?, said: "With levels of obesity and diet-related disease on the increase it's vitally important that people know what's in their food so that they can make an informed choice. Which? has campaigned for years for traffic light labelling so we're pleased the Government has now decided to support this and that every major supermarket, except Iceland, is committed to the scheme.
"The Government now needs to press food manufacturers to do the same and make sure that labels are consistent and based on strong, independent criteria, so that consumers can easily compare products."
“By having a consistent system we will all be able to see at a glance what is in our food. This will help us all choose healthier options and control our calorie intake.”
She said that obesity and poor diet cost the NHS billions of pounds every year.
“Making small changes to our diet can have a big impact on our health and could stop us getting serious illnesses – such as heart disease - later in life,” said Ms Soubry.
Consumer groups welcomed the news and said that most supermarkets were on board.
Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which?, said: "With levels of obesity and diet-related disease on the increase it's vitally important that people know what's in their food so that they can make an informed choice. Which? has campaigned for years for traffic light labelling so we're pleased the Government has now decided to support this and that every major supermarket, except Iceland, is committed to the scheme.
"The Government now needs to press food manufacturers to do the same and make sure that labels are consistent and based on strong, independent criteria, so that consumers can easily compare products."
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