The Live Wire

Food Labelling

The BHF supports clear, consistent and mandatory labelling, which includes traffic light colours.

Independent research shows that a single front-of-pack labelling scheme including traffic lights best meets the needs of all UK consumers including those from lower socio-economic groups.

Many food labelling issues can be addressed only at the European level. Therefore, the BHF is encouraging the UK Government to champion improved food labelling at European level, where the minimum requirements for what information should appear on food labels are set.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the European Heart Network (EHN) are calling for the EU-wide food labelling scheme to include traffic light colours, which would give EU citizens the clear and simple information that they need.

However, in June a plenary vote on Renate Sommers: Food information to consumers report and amendments was held in Strasbourg regarding and an amendment introducing traffic light colours into the proposals was defeated.

The proposals on food information to consumers are currently being considered by the European Council and the Belgian Presidency is keen that agreement is reached by December. It now looks unlikely that mandatory traffic light colours will be supported by all EU counties at council level and we are now lobbying hard to protect the options for national schemes.

For more information on BHF's our food labelling policy visit our Policy pages or contact our Public Affairs Officer, Gemma Reay, by email to reayg@bhf.org.uk or on 0207 554 0154 to find out how you can help.

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