Childers calls on MEPs to support Traffic Light food labelling system

Posted by Andy White on March 15, 2010 at 10:32 AM

Nessa Childers MEP wants the European Parliament to adopt a new law that would force food manufacturers to carry a ‘traffic light’ colour coding on the levels of calories, sugar and fats contained in their products.

The Labour MEP says the EU’s proposed new food labelling initiative, which will be voted on tomorrow (Tuesday, 16th March) by the Parliament's Public Health & Food Safety Committee of which Nessa Childers is a Member, should not stop there.

Ms Childers said: “The ‘traffic light’ system is a simple, universally understood and transparent system that, if adopted, will go a long way towards helping to tackle Europe’s ticking obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart disease time-bomb.

“Alcohol producers should be compelled to carry health warnings on their products too, and I have called for the European Parliament to legislate for this measure in the context of the new Food Information for Consumers initiative. A recent Food Safety Authority of Ireland survey found that 80% of those questioned favoured health advice on alcohol labels.

“This same piece of research identified that only 25% of people ever read the nutritional advice on food labels when out shopping. The current GDA system adopted by mass food producers is complex, arguably misleading and generally misunderstood.

“This is why a simple new red, amber and green system is required to alert consumers to the nutritional value of certain products. The ‘traffic light’ approach also has the benefit of being understood even at a distance and those with literacy problems can also easily understand the principle.

“60% of all adults in the EU – and 20% of school-age children – are obese or overweight and millions of EU citizens people suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes.

“These massive public health problems are only getting bigger and they are costing billions of euros per annum to our health services. The EU and individual Members States must be armed with as much tools as possible in order to fight this growing public health catastrophe. The adoption of ‘traffic light’ food labelling is one such positive measure which has the potential to transform people’s eating habits and save millions of lives as a result.

"I must also say that I am shocked at the level of industry lobbying on this issue. Since I took up my duties in Europe last June, this issue is the one my office has by far received most lobbying. And the ratio of industry lobbying compared to consumer or health group lobbying is I estimate ten to one. I urge my fellow Irish MEPs to resist this massive industry lobbying and take a pro-health stance in tomorrows vote."

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