Food labelling

ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the government's plans to tackle obesity by introducing a standardised food labelling system.

Party response: Conservative

Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary, said: "Alan Johnson is still dithering over a proper system of food labelling. People don't choose to be obese, but they do choose what they eat day to day and need information to understand the effect of these choices. The government has a duty to provide this information but hasn't. It has missed an opportunity to make a real difference.  

"Today's announcement is typical of this government – it doesn't get to the root of the problem and provides a poor smokescreen for Labour's failure to make public health a real priority."

Party response: Liberal Democrat

Norman Lamb, health spokesperson, said: "Families need reliable, yet unobtrusive, information on healthy eating. A food labelling system must be proven to work and enacted by all major retailers or it will simply be another wasted opportunity.

"Ministers have failed to introduce proper measures to get kids active. Nearly one million schoolchildren are not taking part in at least two hours of school sport a week, despite long-standing government targets."

Stakeholder response: British Retail Consortium (BRC)

To send a comment to The BRC, clickhere

A spokesperson said: "Retailers have been at the forefront of clear labelling and information to help customers make healthier choices and understand the need for simple labels. They have led Europe on front of pack labelling, making it easier for consumers to compare products and eat more healthily.

"We await the FSA research on the most effective method of food labelling that is being carried out this year."

Andrew Opie, director of food policy, said: "This is about far more than just food labelling. The government is right to recognise that food is only one element of the obesity equation and factors such as exercise and education are also important. Sensibly, the government has accepted the market is delivering healthier choices for consumers.  

"Retailers have been leading from the front on healthy eating for years. They have long been promoting fresh fruit and vegetables, developing healthier food products, improving nutritional labeling and supporting healthier eating campaigns.

"Retailers, knowing their customers and voluntarily offering them new and easier choices, are achieving more, more quickly, than bans, restrictions or lectures ever could.

"The BRC and individual retailers will continue to work with government to achieve the healthier nation we all want."


Stakeholder response: The Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health

To send a comment to The Princes Foundation for Integrated Health clickhere 

Kim Lavely, chief executive, said: "We welcome the cross-government strategy for obesity as a start in bringing together different departments and agencies to tackle the escalating obesity problem. It is very encouraging to see many of the issues we and others have raised being prioritised in this wide-ranging plan.

"However, we fear that voluntary measures in contentious areas, such as food labelling and advertising, will not succeed and, if that proves to be the case, the government will need to step up the pressure with tougher action.

"We look forward to the first progress report from the new cross-government obesity unit."