Australian consumer advocacy group CHOICE, today warned that many ready-to-eat desserts with low-fat claims such as ‘fat free’, ‘reduced fat’ and ’97 per cent fat free’ are not always as healthy as their labels suggest. CHOICE reviewed 31 low-fat desserts found in the fridge and freezer section of Australian supermarkets. According to CHOICE, the review has proven that many so-called ‘low-fat’ products contain high sugar and sodium levels. CHOICE spokesperson, Ingrid Just said, “Low-fat... ...Read more »

The food labelling debate has ignited again overnight, following the release of the largest study on the issue completed to date. Commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency, an independent group of experts completed an 18-month study to help determine the most effective policy going forward. A combination of traffic light labelling and Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) information was found to be the ideal front-of-pack solution. The group, known as the Project Management Panel (PMP), was responsible... ...Read more »

A pan-European study by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), presents interesting information for the food industry – with food labels found to be widely understood and recognised. “While there are several nutrition labelling schemes across Europe, our findings show that people recognise them and generally know how to use them to make informed nutrition choices,” commented Professor Klaus Grunert of the University of Aarhus, Denmark, who conducted the study for EUFIC.... ...Read more »

Mars, Incorporated reported on Friday that they are to become the first confectionery company to voluntarily implement Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) nutrition labeling on all of its chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery and other food products. “All packages will be redesigned to feature new graphics on the front and back of packages, which contain consumer-friendly, clear and easy to understand nutrition information that will help consumers make informed choices at the point of purchase.... ...Read more »

Health and consumer groups are calling for an overhaul of food packaging regulations following the release of new research carried out by Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute, which suggested the ‘traffic light’ labeling system would assist consumers in their decision-making process. The survey of nearly 800 shoppers from Newcastle and Sydney, commissioned by a group of health and consumer groups including the Cancer Council and CHOICE, found 81 per cent of shoppers could correctly identify... ...Read more »

For the first time, retailers, media, advertisers, food & drink manufacturers, fitness and healthcare companies partner with Government in the quest to fight against obesity. The industry consortium, spearheaded by the Advertising Association and working in partnership across Government, will aim to encourage healthy diets and physical activity in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics and make a significant and measurable contribution to fighting obesity in the UK. The firms involved,... ...Read more »

Research released by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has revealed that the number of Australian consumers using the new Daily Intake Guide when making purchase decisions has risen significantly. The study found that almost three-quarters of Australians consumers surveyed are now aware of the new labelling, with more than one in three saying that they have used the Daily Intake Guide to help decide whether a product was suitable for their needs – an 11 per cent usage increase... ...Read more »

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for stronger partnerships between Government and the food services industry to help enable consumers to make healthier choices when eating out of the home. A report published yesterday by the Cabinet Office’s Strategy Unit, ‘Food Matters – Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century’, sets out Government aims to better integrate the different elements of the food system and its impact economically, socially and environmentally;... ...Read more »

With Australia now credited with the worst obesity epidemic in the world, a number of policy changes have been mooted. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said last week that the Federal Government considered obesity a concern of high priority, with a National Preventative Health Taskforce set up to provide recommendations to tackle the problem. “We’ve taken steps to make obesity a national health priority. We’re investing in community level initiatives,” she said. “Obviously... ...Read more »

The House of Representatives inquiry into obesity is underway with the Australian Food and Grocery Council highlighting the potential for manufacturers to leave Australian shores if new legislation is perceived as being too harsh. The concern about obesity in Australia has led to a growing number of health and consumer groups requesting new legislation to tackle the issue, with a traffic light labeling system, taxes on “junk-food”, advertising restrictions and subsidies on fruit and vegetables... ...Read more »