Independent evaluation project

At its meeting on 9 March 2006, the Agency's Board agreed that it would be important to assess independently the impact of its recommended approach to front-of-pack signpost labelling, and other front of pack key nutrient schemes that are in use, on consumer behaviour.

Industry has expressed a willingness to work in a constructive manner with the Agency to carry out a study to learn together what works best for consumers.

A meeting with key stakeholders was held on 8 May 2006 at which the objectives of the evaluation, the type of research and the mechanism for managing the research were discussed. This was considered further at the NSSG meeting on 18 July 2006 where it was agreed that the research objective will be: 'to evaluate the impact of front-of-pack signpost labelling schemes on purchasing behaviour and consumer knowledge'.

This project will be directed by a small independent management panel comprising representatives with expertise in market research, nutrition and social science. It will be assisted in its work by a larger advisory group.