NUTRITION

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NUTRITION HEALTHIER EATING FSA research on
signposting of healthy and less healthy
foods DECEMBER 04
Full Report can be downloaded from
http//www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/navigatorsi
gnposting.pdf
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• SUMMARY
• The FSA Action Plan on Food Promotions and
  Childrens Diet (July 04) and the Governments
  Public Health White Paper (Nov 04) both
  identified simple labelling signposts as a
  possible method of helping people to make
  healthier food choices.
• The FSA have conducted initial research and
  consumer testing against 5 possible signposting
  options and have now committed to work with the
  food industry, consumer groups and public
  health groups to identify which concepts will
  work best in practice it is planned to
  complete this work by Summer 2005.
• Research revealed strong approval for the
  concept of front of pack signpost labelling
• 2 of the 5 signpost options tested were clearly
  preferred Simple Traffic Light Combining
  the main nutrients into a simple red/amber/green
  measure
• Multiple Traffic Light showing separate
  info. for total fat, saturated fat, sugar and
  salt content.
• Consumers felt that any options progressed
  should be independent of the food industry,
  identifying the FSA as an appropriate
  recognisable body for operating/regulating any
  developed system.
• The research has also taken some initial views
  on the application of signposting to the
  catering sector with the intention of informing
  more research at a later date.

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• THE 2 PREFERRED SIGNPOSTING CONCEPTS
• The preferred options emerging from the
  research were
• Option A 3-band System - Simple Traffic
  Light
• Foods labelled with a single green, amber or red
  traffic light on the basis of their overall
  contribution to a balanced diet.
• Option D Key Nutrients System
• Each key nutrient labelled as high (red), medium
  (amber) or low (green).

e.g. Ready-salted crisps Red Processed
cheese spread Amber Frozen peas - Green
e.g. Breaded fish shapes Fat M Salt H
Sugar L Satfat L Prawn mayo.sandwich
Fat H Salt H Sugar L Satfat M
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• OTHER OPTIONS TESTED
• Option B 5-Band System Extended Traffic
  Light
• Option C Healthy Logo
• Option E Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) Key
  Nutrients

e.g. Roasted peanuts Red Pork sausages
Light Red Processed cheese Amber
Egg salad sandwich Light Green
e.g. Own-brand healthy option meal diet
soft drink fat-free fruit yogurt
e.g. Chicken Chips ready meal Fat 43.6g
Salt 5.0g Sugar 5.6g Satfat 2.6g Fruit
Cereal Bar Fat 4.6g Salt lt0.1g Sugar 0.8g
Satfat 10.4g
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• APPLICABILITY TO THE CATERING SECTOR
• Initial research only on concept of labelling in
  the catering sector (defined as all food bought
  for consumption outside the home) didnt
  explore value and merit of implementing such
  systems.
• Significant variance on consumer views to
  signposting dependent on context, type of outlet
  and frequency of eating. Across the board
  implementation met with hostile response.
• Antipathy towards encountering an on menu system
  of labelling which could detract from the treat
  occasion.
• Consumers who frequently eat out of the home
  have concerns about the availability of healthy
  options and would welcome more help in making
  healthy choices. (Use of a generic healthy
  symbol?)
• Any system developed for the catering sector
  needs to take account of the diversity and
  applicability. General view that the same system
  could not be applied across both retail and
  catering sectors.
• Further research likely to focus on whether
  there should be a particular focus on certain
  sectors e.g. fast food/takeaways etc.
• Concerns about imposition of system of
  labelling on small businesses also recognised
  control/consistency difficulties associated with
  small independents.
• Voluntary schemes likely to have more success in
  the eating out sector.