Public should decide front of pack labelling
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) president Gavin Neath has called for competing 'front of pack' labelling schemes to be reviewed after two years to decide which shoppers actually prefer and find most useful.
Speaking at the FDF's president's dinner in London last Thursday, Neath, who is also chairman of Unilever UK, voiced the industry's concerns about the Food Standards Agency's recent backing for multiple 'traffic light' labelling of healthy and unhealthy foods, when most manufacturers preferred a system based on guideline daily allowances, which they claim are more scientific.
Neath was critical of the government's “subjective” model of nutrient profiling for regulating the advertising of foods specifically aimed at children. And while he recognised its right to intervene in areas such as nutritional standards of foods in schools, he advised ministers to be “pragmatic in introducing this policy”. He jokingly raised the spectre of a “black market” in crisps, chocolates and fizzy drinks if these were to be totally banned in schools. “Abolishing chocolates, crisps and soft drinks in schools will not go far.”
Neath also lamented the government's failure to respond to the industry's offer to jointly fund an education initiative about diet and health designed to raise public understanding of the need for balanced diets and more physical exercise.
At the event, the FDF's Community Partnership awards, which recognise commitment to the local communities in which firms work, were presented by environment minister Jim Knight.
Awards were made to large and small companies, divided across four categories: local community; culture, media and sport; workplace community; and education. Gold awards went to Tate & Lyle and Loch Fyne Oysters; Pepsico and Danone; Danone; Sainsbury and General Mills, respectively.
