Health written question – answered at on 22 January 2007.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what science-based studies underpinned the Food Standards Agency's food labelling traffic light scheme; and what plans she has to extend the scheme to the catering sector.
The Food Standards Agency's (FSA) front-of-pack signpost recommendations for a traffic light labelling approach for use in retail outlets is supported by extensive scientific research and consultation with stakeholders.
A programme of consumer research was carried out during 2004 and 2005 to test various signposting approaches, comprising a series of studies that provided information on:
Preference—what signpost formats appeal to consumers;
Performance—how consumers use and understand the information provided in signposts;
Execution—design of strongest performing signposts; and
Application of signpost—the foods consumers want signposting applied to.
The full reports of this research have been published on the agency's website at:
www.food.gov.uk/foodlabellinq/signpostinq/siognpostlabelresearch/
The FSA encourages restaurants, caterers and cafés to provide more detailed information about the nutritional content of the food they serve to help consumers to be able to identify healthy food choices. There are no current plans to recommend the use of the agency's approach to signpost labelling in catering establishments this will be considered with stakeholders once the United Kingdom-wide signposting scheme for pre-packaged foods has been implemented effectively.
Yes0 people think so
No0 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.