‘Traffic lights’ on British food labels

Voluntary
initiative

The system
of traffic lights adds a colour code to the food label, so the consumer can see
instantly if the quantities of fats, saturated fats, sugars and salt are high,
average or low. In 2010 it seemed this system would become obligated in the
European Union, but parliament did not follow through, under pressure of the
food lobby.

The British
government and health services did however like the concept: research has shown
that consumers better understand these colour codes than the regular labelling with
numbers and percentages per portion and as such, they insisted on introducing this system
on a national level.

The
majority of British retailers (Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, the Co-operative,
Waitrose and Tesco) have, together with a number of large producers (among them
the British division of PepsiCo, Mars, Nestlé, Premier Foods and McCain),
instated these colour codes on a voluntary basis. The participating companies
together have a market share of 60% in food. Not all producers like the system
though: Coca-Cola and Cadbury have rejected the system.

Rest of
Europe?

“In times
where obesity is a big problem in Europe, we see no reason why such an easy tool
– that informs fast and clearly – should only be reserved for consumers in
those countries”, says Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, the European
Consumer Organisation.

“By obligating
themselves to implement the traffic light system, these popular producers and
brands finally listen to the consumer and they recognise their right for fast
and clear information. This is a true revolution. And these food giants should
also implement this on the other European markets”, says Monique Goyens.