Consultation on Nutrient Profiling

The Agency intends to make it easier for parents and children to make healthier food choices. The White Paper: Choosing Health sets out the wider programme of Government action within which these Agency initiatives takes place.

To support the implementation of the Action Plan, the Agency has commissioned research to develop and test nutrient profiling models to define 'foods high in fat, salt and sugar' and 'healthier options'. The Agency is now seeking your views on the outcomes of the study. A detailed summary and the full report can be viewed from the link at the foot of this page.

The focus of this consultation is specifically the scientific basis of the preferred nutrient profiling model, the way in which it has been developed, and its effectiveness. This consultation does not cover the applications for which the model might be used as these will be the subject of further consultation in due course.

The Agency is currently working with stakeholders to take forward a number of the recommendations in the Action Plan to which nutrient profiling may be applicable. This work includes developing advice for businesses on signpost labelling, use of nutrition and health claims, and criteria for reducing the levels of fat, salt and sugar in foods aimed at children.

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the Better Regulation Executive's Code of Practice on Consultation, which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the Consultation Feedback Questionnaire.

Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)

Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)

In accordance with the FSA principle of openness our Information Centre at Aviation House will hold a copy of the completed consultation. Responses will be open to public access upon request. The FSA will also publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name and contact address details. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.

Data protection form (Word)

Data protection form (pdf)

The report recommends one model that, with further refinement, could form the basis of a workable system. This is a scoring model that takes account of energy, saturated fat, non-milk extrinsic sugars, and salt; and the degree to which these nutrients are balanced by calcium, iron, long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and fruit and vegetable content. The model therefore identifies foods high in fat, salt and sugar, while recognising the important contribution of dairy, meat, fish, and fruit and vegetable based products to a balanced diet.

The report also makes a number of recommendations for further development and testing which might be carried out on the preferred model.

The Agency would welcome your views on any aspect of the report, the preferred model, and the way in which it has been developed. In particular, we would welcome your comments in response to the following questions.

What is your assessment of the scientific basis of the preferred model, and the way in which it has been developed?

• Have the appropriate nutrients been included?
• Is the choice of base (i.e. per 100g) appropriate?
• Is the balance between the scoring thresholds for the respective nutrients appropriate?

What is your view of the effectiveness of the preferred model?

• Does the model succeed in appropriately classifying foods?
• Does the classification of any categories or groups of foods cause particular concern?

What further development or testing of the model do you consider necessary?

• Are there areas of improvement to the model that you consider necessary?
• In what ways might the model be tested to further assess its effectiveness?

A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) has not been produced to accompany this consultation. This is because no costs to business will arise directly from the nutrient profiling model itself. A full RIA to accompany the Action Plan was prepared, and considered by the Agency�s Board at their July open meeting. In addition, further RIAs will be prepared to accompany forthcoming consultations on the planned best practice advice to which nutrient profiling is relevant.

A Welsh language version of the main consultation letter is available on request from FSA Wales.

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact Chris Harvey, the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator, on 020 7276 8630.
Email: chris.harvey@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk