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| EU backs rival food label scheme | EU backs rival food label scheme |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| The European Commission has come out in favour of a system of food labelling opposed by the UK regulator. | The European Commission has come out in favour of a system of food labelling opposed by the UK regulator. |
| The commission is proposing it should be mandatory to have guideline daily amounts on the front of packs - a system backed by some UK supermarkets. | The commission is proposing it should be mandatory to have guideline daily amounts on the front of packs - a system backed by some UK supermarkets. |
| But the UK Food Standards Agency favours a traffic light system, where red means fat or sugar levels are high. | But the UK Food Standards Agency favours a traffic light system, where red means fat or sugar levels are high. |
| Consumer campaigners have criticised the commission's proposal, and said it ignores what works best for the public. | Consumer campaigners have criticised the commission's proposal, and said it ignores what works best for the public. |
| Confusing, overloaded or misleading labels can be more of a hindrance than a help to the consumer Markos Kyprianou, EU Health Commissioner | Confusing, overloaded or misleading labels can be more of a hindrance than a help to the consumer Markos Kyprianou, EU Health Commissioner |
| Tesco, Somerfield and Morrison are some of those who use GDAs. | Tesco, Somerfield and Morrison are some of those who use GDAs. |
| However, companies including Sainsbury's, Waitrose, the Co-Op and Marks and Spencer use the traffic light system, where red signals high levels of fat, salt and sugar. | However, companies including Sainsbury's, Waitrose, the Co-Op and Marks and Spencer use the traffic light system, where red signals high levels of fat, salt and sugar. |
| Asda and McCains use a hybrid of the two. | Asda and McCains use a hybrid of the two. |
| The UK government has criticised the existence of multiple schemes, and said it would consider legislation if one system is not agreed upon. | The UK government has criticised the existence of multiple schemes, and said it would consider legislation if one system is not agreed upon. |
| 'Hindrance' | 'Hindrance' |
| The commission said the draft regulation was simply setting out general requirements on how nutritional information on calorie content and fat, sugar and salt levels should be displayed. | The commission said the draft regulation was simply setting out general requirements on how nutritional information on calorie content and fat, sugar and salt levels should be displayed. |
| If approved by EU ministers, the proposal would require that the energy, fat, saturated fat and carbohydrates content of food per 100mg or per portion are displayed clearly on the front of the packet. | If approved by EU ministers, the proposal would require that the energy, fat, saturated fat and carbohydrates content of food per 100mg or per portion are displayed clearly on the front of the packet. |
| The labelling would also have to include the proportion of those contents in relation to the recommended daily allowance of each one. | The labelling would also have to include the proportion of those contents in relation to the recommended daily allowance of each one. |
| But the commission said there was still scope for each country to promote additional national schemes "provided they do not undermine the EU rules". | But the commission said there was still scope for each country to promote additional national schemes "provided they do not undermine the EU rules". |
| These proposals have ignored what works best for consumers and opted for what works best for some sections of the food industry Sue Davies, Which? | These proposals have ignored what works best for consumers and opted for what works best for some sections of the food industry Sue Davies, Which? |
| EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said: "Food labels can have a huge influence on consumers' purchasing decisions. | EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said: "Food labels can have a huge influence on consumers' purchasing decisions. |
| "Confusing, overloaded or misleading labels can be more of a hindrance than a help to the consumer." | "Confusing, overloaded or misleading labels can be more of a hindrance than a help to the consumer." |
| The proposal may also affect online food shopping. In a statement, the commission said: "Many consumers now buy their food via the internet. | The proposal may also affect online food shopping. In a statement, the commission said: "Many consumers now buy their food via the internet. |
| "These consumers have the same need for clear, essential information as those who shop in their local supermarket." | "These consumers have the same need for clear, essential information as those who shop in their local supermarket." |
| 'Incredibly disappointing' | 'Incredibly disappointing' |
| A Food Standards Agency spokeswoman said it welcomed the commission's recognition of the importance of clear, front of pack labelling. | A Food Standards Agency spokeswoman said it welcomed the commission's recognition of the importance of clear, front of pack labelling. |
| She added: "An independent evaluation of the three labelling schemes in use in the UK is now underway. | She added: "An independent evaluation of the three labelling schemes in use in the UK is now underway. |
| "The results of this study will tell us what is working best for consumers and will inform future negotiations on this EU proposal." | "The results of this study will tell us what is working best for consumers and will inform future negotiations on this EU proposal." |
| Jane Holdsworth, director of the Food and Drink Federation's GDA campaign said: "We are delighted that the commission is recommending a GDA-based approach to unified food labelling across Europe. | |
| "It recognises that comparing the nutrient content of a foodstuff to a reference intake enables the consumer to better understand the relevance of the information provided on the label for their overall diet." | |
| But UK consumer campaigners criticised the proposal. | |
| Which? chief policy adviser, Sue Davies, said: "These recommendations are incredibly disappointing for consumers across Europe and are not evidence based. | Which? chief policy adviser, Sue Davies, said: "These recommendations are incredibly disappointing for consumers across Europe and are not evidence based. |
| "Independent research shows that traffic lights are the best way to help busy shoppers identify healthy choices quickly and easily. | "Independent research shows that traffic lights are the best way to help busy shoppers identify healthy choices quickly and easily. |
| "These proposals have ignored what works best for consumers and opted for what works best for some sections of the food industry." | "These proposals have ignored what works best for consumers and opted for what works best for some sections of the food industry." |