Signposting policy review
In March 2006, following extensive published consumer research and consultation with stakeholders, the Agency recommended voluntary use of a front-of-pack 'traffic light' labelling approach in the UK based on four core principles.
The four principles are:
- separate information on fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt
- information on the amount of each nutrient in grams per portion
- use of red, amber and green to indicate whether there is a high, medium or low amount of each nutrient
- use of nutritional criteria set by the Government’s independent scientific advisory committees on nutrition to determine the colour coding
Information on calories and percentage Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) may also be provided in addition to the information set out in the core principles.
Front-of-pack 'traffic light' labelling is recommended for use on composite processed foods that consumers have told us they find it difficult to assess the nutrition content of.
Examples of products with traffic light labels and the Agency’s technical guidance for businesses on traffic light labelling can be found at the links below.
Review of front-of-pack labelling
In March 2006, the Agency also made a commitment to review the effectiveness and impact of front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes used in the UK market. There are three main front-of-pack signpost labelling schemes in use in the UK (shown below). Two follow the Agency’s recommended approach by using traffic light colour codes (with one also providing information on the percentage of GDA). The other provides information on the percentage of GDA without any traffic light colour coding.
Traffic lights
Traffic lights with GDAs
Monochrome with GDAs
Research shows that UK consumers would prefer just one scheme (see the Front-of-pack signpost labelling exploratory research at the link below). The UK Government is working towards this approach, detailed in the Healthy Food Code of Good Practice as part of the Government's 2008 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' strategy (accessible via the link below).
Work to independently review and evaluate the effectiveness of the main signposting schemes in use in the UK is under way. The study will establish what elements of these individual signpost schemes best enable consumers to correctly interpret levels of key nutrients on a range of foods and will provide data on how consumers use front-of-pack labels when shopping and at home. It will also explore whether having more than one scheme causes confusion. This research is due to be completed by the end of 2008.
The scientific rationale for the quantitative phase of the research, which includes some insights from the qualitative work, was published in September. A full report detailing findings from all stages of the research will be published in spring 2009.
The findings of this research will be used with other published research and relevant evidence to help inform the policy evaluation process and subsequent advice to Ministers in 2009. A series of pre-consultation discussions with stakeholders will begin with a scenario planning workshop in October 2008, and continue until a formal public consultation in early 2009. The Agency's Board is expected to discuss the outcome of consultation before agreeing advice to Ministers in Autumn 2009. Updates will be posted on this page.
Further information
For further information, email Fareed Ahmad at fareed.ahmad@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.
Related links
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