24/10/2012
Consistent Food Labeling To Be Introduced
The government has announced that a new and consistent system of front-of-pack food labelling will be introduced in the UK next year.
A combination of guideline daily amounts, colour coding and "high, medium or low" wording will be used to show how much fat, salt and sugar and how many calories are in each product.
The scheme will however be voluntary, but ministers are confident they have the food industry on board.
Talks will take place later this week over the exact design of the labels.
The issue of clear labeling has been under discussion for the past decade with campaigners seeing it as a way of tackling the rising rates of obesity.
But the introduction of a consistent system has proved difficult, and instead a range of different labels has gradually been introduced over the years.
Some retailers and manufactures have used "traffic-light" labelling, in which the least healthy foods are labelled red and the most healthy are in green, while others use guideline daily amounts - or GDAs - which give the percentage of recommended intake. Some use both.
(H)
A combination of guideline daily amounts, colour coding and "high, medium or low" wording will be used to show how much fat, salt and sugar and how many calories are in each product.
The scheme will however be voluntary, but ministers are confident they have the food industry on board.
Talks will take place later this week over the exact design of the labels.
The issue of clear labeling has been under discussion for the past decade with campaigners seeing it as a way of tackling the rising rates of obesity.
But the introduction of a consistent system has proved difficult, and instead a range of different labels has gradually been introduced over the years.
Some retailers and manufactures have used "traffic-light" labelling, in which the least healthy foods are labelled red and the most healthy are in green, while others use guideline daily amounts - or GDAs - which give the percentage of recommended intake. Some use both.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 June 2013
Government Launch New 'Consistent' Food Labelling System
The government has announced the introduction of a new front-of-pack food labelling system. The foods fat, salt, sugar and calorie content will be displayed using a combination of colour coding and nutritional information.
Government Launch New 'Consistent' Food Labelling System
The government has announced the introduction of a new front-of-pack food labelling system. The foods fat, salt, sugar and calorie content will be displayed using a combination of colour coding and nutritional information.
28 March 2008
School's Out For Junk Food
The School Food Trust is to set in motion measures that will curb school children binging on junk food. Currently in some parts of England, pupils have a choice of more than 40 fast food shops, with many targeting children with special lunch menus.
School's Out For Junk Food
The School Food Trust is to set in motion measures that will curb school children binging on junk food. Currently in some parts of England, pupils have a choice of more than 40 fast food shops, with many targeting children with special lunch menus.
03 August 2010
'Show Country Of Origin', Says Food Minister
Food businesses, including supermarkets and processors, should do more voluntarily to improve country of origin labelling on food products such as meat and dairy, Food Minister Jim Paice said today.
'Show Country Of Origin', Says Food Minister
Food businesses, including supermarkets and processors, should do more voluntarily to improve country of origin labelling on food products such as meat and dairy, Food Minister Jim Paice said today.
09 March 2006
FSA agrees colour-coded food labelling
The Food Standards Agency has agreed a recommendation for a colour-coded 'traffic light' system for food labelling to be used as the industry standard.
FSA agrees colour-coded food labelling
The Food Standards Agency has agreed a recommendation for a colour-coded 'traffic light' system for food labelling to be used as the industry standard.
09 February 2006
Food firms announce new labelling scheme
Five UK food firms have joined forces to launch their own food labelling system for their products. Danone, Kelloggs, Kraft, Nestle and PepsiCo will include details of the percentage of the daily intake allowance of ingredients such as sugar, fat and salt in their products.
Food firms announce new labelling scheme
Five UK food firms have joined forces to launch their own food labelling system for their products. Danone, Kelloggs, Kraft, Nestle and PepsiCo will include details of the percentage of the daily intake allowance of ingredients such as sugar, fat and salt in their products.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.