Minister to hold talks on ending confusion over food health labels

Manufacturers, retailers and nutrition experts are expected to take part in the consultation being launched by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today.

The government wants to see a common system to show – on the front of packs – how much fat, salt and sugar, and how many calories are contained in products.

Mr Lansley said: “Being overweight and having an unhealthy diet can lead to serious illnesses such as cancer and type 2 diabetes.

“We must do everything we can to help people make healthier choices.”

Eighty per cent of food products sold in the UK already have some form of front-of-pack-labelling, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

But different retailers and manufacturers use different ways of labelling which could be confusing for consumers, it added.

Some indicate Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs), which give the percentage of recommended intake, and others use traffic light systems or both.

The DoH says research shows that one clear system, used across all products, would make it easier for consumers to compare the nutritional information provided on the food they buy.

“Offering a single nutrition labelling system makes common sense, it would help us all to make healthier choices and keep track of what we eat,” Mr Lansley added.

“Making even small changes to our diet can have a major impact on our health. Cutting our average salt intake by 1.6 grams a day would prevent over 10,000 premature deaths a year.

“Initiatives like the Responsibility Deal are already showing what can be achieved if we work in partnership with industry.

“For example, customers who buy 70 per cent of fast food and takeaways sold on the high street can see from the menu how many calories are in their meals and half the high street has committed to cutting salt in household staples.”

The DoH said the 12-week consultation will be an opportunity for all interested parties to give their view on what a consistent, clear front of pack label should look like and how to make the scheme a reality.

According to the DoH, if the biggest seven supermarkets used the same labelling for their own brand foods, it would cover around 50 per cent of all the food sold in the UK.