Food Standards Agency
Thursday 24 July 2008
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What is RSS?The Agency has agreed its recommendation for a consistent approach to front of pack labelling that will provide 'at a glance' information on labels about the nutritional content of foods.
To underpin these recommendations, a series of consumer research projects have been undertaken to explore people's understanding of and preferences for a range of signposting concepts. Signposting aims to make it easier for people to choose a healthy diet.
At its meeting on 9 March 2006, the Agency's Board agreed that it would be important to assess independently the impact of its recommended approach to front-of-pack signpost labelling, and other front of pack key nutrient schemes that are in use, on consumer behaviour.
A large number of consumer, health, medical and other groups support the FSA's recommended approach to signpost labelling. The signposting supporters range from Netmums to the Royal College of Physicians.
The majority of large retailers, many manufacturers and a number of service providers now use the Food Standards Agency's recommended approach to front-of-pack signpost labelling.
In January 2007, the Agency agreed the nutritional criteria for its traffic light labelling approach. This covered six out of the seven food categories where consumers said they would find front-of-pack labels most useful.
To ensure that the signposting scheme is practical and workable, the Agency undertook extensive work with stakeholders throughout its development.
The Agency has carried out a programme of research in its work to develop the front of pack signpost labelling scheme. The main findings of the research are summarised here.
The Food Standards Agency Board has agreed its recommendation for a consistent approach to front of pack labelling that will help make it easier for people to choose a healthier diet.
This is Issue 2 of the technical guidance for the Agency's front-of-pack nutritional signpost labelling approach.
As part of a regular tracking survey that the Food Standards Agency carries out, we recently did a small piece of additional consumer research to provide a snapshot of how shoppers are currently interpreting signpost labelling.
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