This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6228469.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Food labelling campaign launched | Food labelling campaign launched |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Some of the UK's biggest food manufacturers are launching a £4m campaign to promote nutritional labels. | Some of the UK's biggest food manufacturers are launching a £4m campaign to promote nutritional labels. |
| The labels show percentages of guideline daily amounts (GDA) of sugar, salt, fat and calories in each serving. | The labels show percentages of guideline daily amounts (GDA) of sugar, salt, fat and calories in each serving. |
| Other firms use red, amber and green labels - where green is good and red warns not to consume too much - approved by the Food Standards Agency. | Other firms use red, amber and green labels - where green is good and red warns not to consume too much - approved by the Food Standards Agency. |
| But the 21 firms and retailers using the GDA system say people will not buy products with red labels on them. | But the 21 firms and retailers using the GDA system say people will not buy products with red labels on them. |
| See the figures behind GDAs and traffic light labels | See the figures behind GDAs and traffic light labels |
| The GDA campaign - supported by a coalition of the UK's biggest food and drink manufacturers as well as supermarkets Tesco, Somerfield and Morrison - begins on Monday with TV and print adverts. | The GDA campaign - supported by a coalition of the UK's biggest food and drink manufacturers as well as supermarkets Tesco, Somerfield and Morrison - begins on Monday with TV and print adverts. |
| Members of the GDA group say consumers will find the percentages of GDAs easier to understand than the FSA's "traffic light" system. | Members of the GDA group say consumers will find the percentages of GDAs easier to understand than the FSA's "traffic light" system. |
| GDA labelling shows percentages of guideline daily amounts per serving | GDA labelling shows percentages of guideline daily amounts per serving |
| GDA campaign director Jane Holdsworth said the new labelling system was about "lifestyle" choices. | GDA campaign director Jane Holdsworth said the new labelling system was about "lifestyle" choices. |
| "We have made it simple to compare what's inside thousands of everyday foods so you can choose what best suits your diet," she said. | "We have made it simple to compare what's inside thousands of everyday foods so you can choose what best suits your diet," she said. |
| And Tesco said its GDA labelling had already changed the buying behaviour of its shoppers. | And Tesco said its GDA labelling had already changed the buying behaviour of its shoppers. |
| Tesco spokesman Jonathan Church told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Our sales data shows customers are using it to make changes towards healthier foods. | Tesco spokesman Jonathan Church told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Our sales data shows customers are using it to make changes towards healthier foods. |
| "We have seen it in ready meals, sandwiches and other product categories." | "We have seen it in ready meals, sandwiches and other product categories." |
| More than 5,000 products already carried GDA labelling and this would be extended to every Tesco-owned food item within the next few months, he said. | More than 5,000 products already carried GDA labelling and this would be extended to every Tesco-owned food item within the next few months, he said. |
| There are claims that the traffic light system is easier to use | There are claims that the traffic light system is easier to use |
| Mr Church denied the supermarket was trying to safeguard sales at the expense of customers' health, saying fat and salt content in some products had been lowered as a result of GDA labelling. | Mr Church denied the supermarket was trying to safeguard sales at the expense of customers' health, saying fat and salt content in some products had been lowered as a result of GDA labelling. |
| But supporters of the FSA's traffic light system - used by firms including Sainsbury's, Waitrose , the Co-Op, Marks and Spencer and Asda - say the GDA system is flawed because many adults do not understand percentages. | But supporters of the FSA's traffic light system - used by firms including Sainsbury's, Waitrose , the Co-Op, Marks and Spencer and Asda - say the GDA system is flawed because many adults do not understand percentages. |
| The FSA says its research shows traffic light labels are easier to understand. | The FSA says its research shows traffic light labels are easier to understand. |
| "Some consumers do like the extra information that GDAs provide," it said in a statement. | "Some consumers do like the extra information that GDAs provide," it said in a statement. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Why not simply have the supermarkets sell only healthy food? Marc Woodhall, Burton on Trent Send us your comments "However, without a traffic light colour code our research showed that shoppers can't always interpret the information quickly and often find percentages difficult to understand and use." | HAVE YOUR SAY Why not simply have the supermarkets sell only healthy food? Marc Woodhall, Burton on Trent Send us your comments "However, without a traffic light colour code our research showed that shoppers can't always interpret the information quickly and often find percentages difficult to understand and use." |
| If traffic light colours were added to products with GDA labels this would "reduce the confusion in the marketplace", it added. | If traffic light colours were added to products with GDA labels this would "reduce the confusion in the marketplace", it added. |
| Diabetes UK also gave their backing to the traffic light system, saying it was the "quickest and easiest" way for consumers to know what their food contained. | |
| "If manufacturers choose to produce their own labelling guidance, it will only serve to confuse shoppers," said chief executive Douglas Smallwood. | |
| "Voluntary food labelling will only work if manufacturers look at it from the view of the consumer, rather than suiting themselves." | |
GUIDELINE DAILY AMOUNTS Women Men Energy (Calories) 2,000 2,500 Protein 45g 55g Carbohydrate 230g 300g of which sugars 90g 120g Fat 70g 95g of which saturates 20g 30g Fibre 24g 24g Sodium 2.4g 2.4g Equivalent as salt 6g 6g Source: Institute of Grocery Distribution | GUIDELINE DAILY AMOUNTS Women Men Energy (Calories) 2,000 2,500 Protein 45g 55g Carbohydrate 230g 300g of which sugars 90g 120g Fat 70g 95g of which saturates 20g 30g Fibre 24g 24g Sodium 2.4g 2.4g Equivalent as salt 6g 6g Source: Institute of Grocery Distribution |
TRAFFIC LIGHT LABELLING LowPer 100g Medium Per 100g HighPer 100g Fat 0-3g Between 3g and 20g 20g and over Saturated fat 0-1.5g Between 1.5gand 5g 5g and over Total sugars 0-5g Between 5g and 15g 15g and over Salt 0-0.3g Between 0.3gand 1.5g 1.5g and over Source: Food Standards Agency | TRAFFIC LIGHT LABELLING LowPer 100g Medium Per 100g HighPer 100g Fat 0-3g Between 3g and 20g 20g and over Saturated fat 0-1.5g Between 1.5gand 5g 5g and over Total sugars 0-5g Between 5g and 15g 15g and over Salt 0-0.3g Between 0.3gand 1.5g 1.5g and over Source: Food Standards Agency |
| Back to top | Back to top |