Health groups to battle food firms on nutrition labels

CONSUMER and health groups are pitted against the processed food industry in a battle about how to illustrate food packaging with information on what is in our food.

‘Traffic light’-style labels would show at a glance how much fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt are contined in 100 grams of foods such as pizza, sandwiches or cereal.

But the multi-billion euro food industry would prefer the less colourful Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) system, where you are told the percentage of the nutrient per portion.

The European Parliament is split on the issue but the important health and food safety committee could tip the balance in their vote next week.

Irish MEP Nessa Childers is one of the members campaigning for the traffic-light label where red means high levels of fats, sugar or salt, amber for medium and green for low.

“This decision will affect the daily eating habits and the health of over 500 million people in Europe. It’s key to tackling serious health problems such as obesity and heart disease,” she said. She also wants it to include alcohol, which is currently exempted.

A range of EU and Irish consumer and health organisations agree with her, including the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute and studies show consumers prefer the system.

Sue Davis of the European Consumers Organisation, BEUC, said: “We interviewed thousands of consumers in various countries and they want information about what they are eating but they want it in an easy to understand fashion and at a glance.”

The food expert said the GDA system is not very scientific since the portions are not clearly defined and vary from a “handful of crisps” to a “half a pizza”.

The pack should display more detailed information, including the levels per 100g or 100ml and per portion of the big eight nutrients – energy, protein, fat, saturated fats, carbohydrates, sugars, salt and fibre and trans fatty acids. They also want the country of origin clearly stated.

But the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU says companies have invested in the GDA system and it works.

Many MEPs agree, including German MEP Renata Sommar, who has written the report for the Parliament’s Health and Food safety committee.

She believes the traffic-light system is simplistic and could result in people becoming malnourished as they choose to eat only ‘green’ food.