Food Standards Agency
Sunday 5 July 2009
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Listen to this siteIn March 2006, following extensive published consumer research and consultation with stakeholders, the Agency recommended voluntary use of a front-of-pack 'traffic light' labelling approach in the UK based on four core principles.
The four principles are:
Information on calories and percentage Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) may also be provided in addition to the information set out in the core principles.
Front-of-pack 'traffic light' labelling is recommended for use on composite processed foods that consumers have told us they find it difficult to assess the nutrition content of.
Examples of products with traffic light labels and the Agency’s technical guidance for businesses on traffic light labelling can be found at the links below.
In March 2006, the Agency also made a commitment to review the effectiveness and impact of front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes used in the UK market. There are three main front-of-pack signpost labelling schemes in use in the UK (shown below). Two follow the Agency’s recommended approach by using traffic light colour codes (with one also providing information on the percentage of GDA). The other provides information on the percentage of GDA without any traffic light colour coding.
Traffic lights
Traffic lights scheme
Traffic lights with GDAs
Traffic lights with GDAs scheme
Monochrome with GDAs
Monochrome with GDAs scheme
Research shows that UK consumers would prefer just one scheme (see the Front-of-pack signpost labelling exploratory research at the link below). The UK Government is working towards this approach, detailed in the Healthy Food Code of Good Practice as part of the Government's 2008 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' strategy (accessible via the link below).
Work to independently review and evaluate the effectiveness of the main signposting schemes in use in the UK is under way. The study will establish what elements of these individual signpost schemes best enable consumers to correctly interpret levels of key nutrients on a range of foods and will provide data on how consumers use front-of-pack labels when shopping and at home. It will also explore whether having more than one scheme causes confusion. This research is due to be completed by the end of 2008.
The scientific rationale for the quantitative phase of the research, which includes some insights from the qualitative work, was published in September. A full report detailing findings from all stages of the research will be published in spring 2009.
The findings of this research will be used with other published research and relevant evidence to help inform the policy evaluation process and subsequent advice to Ministers in 2009. A series of pre-consultation discussions with stakeholders will begin with a scenario planning workshop in October 2008, and continue until a formal public consultation in early 2009. The Agency's Board is expected to discuss the outcome of consultation before agreeing advice to Ministers in Autumn 2009. Updates will be posted on this page.
For further information, email Karen Powell at karen.powell@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk or Claire Boville at claire.boville@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk .
Download pdf
(pdf 174KB) Independent signpost evaluation study Read about the study Letter to the Food and Drink Federation from the Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, Minster of State for Public Health Read the 21 July 2008 letterDownload pdf
(pdf 189KB) Signpost labelling research Read about the initial research into developing the front-of-pack signpost labelling scheme and a summary of the main findings Signpost labelling workshop to discuss research, evidence gathering and policy implications Read the notes from the October 2008 workshopDownload pdf
(pdf 34KB) Signpost labelling workshop to discuss research, evidence gathering and policy implications Read the discussion document for the October 2008 workshopDownload pdf
(pdf 24KB) Technical guidance Read the technical guidance for the Agency's front-of-pack nutritional signpost labelling approachFind out what our other sites have to offer