Clear labelling which describes the content of food and drink products is important because it helps consumers to make informed choices. It may also be an important means of encouraging manufacturers and retailers to reformulate processed foods high in saturated fats, salt and added sugars.

Evidence shows that simple traffic light labelling consistently works better than more complex schemes .

Policy goals

Ensure the integrated front-of-pack labelling system developed by the Food Standards Agency is rapidly implemented.

Ensure labelling regulations in England are not adversely influenced by EU regulation.

 To achieve this, the evidence suggests that the following are among the measures that should be considered.

Recommended actions

• Establish the single, integrated, front-of-pack traffic light colour-coded system developed by the Food Standards Agency as the national standard for food and drink products sold in England. This includes the simple, traffic light, colour-coding visual icon and text which indicates whether food or drink contains a 'high', 'medium' or 'low' level of salt, fat or sugar. It also includes text to indicate the product's percentage contribution to the guideline daily amount (GDA) from each category.

• Consider using legislation to ensure universal implementation of the front-of-pack traffic light labelling system developed by the Food Standards Agency.

• Develop and implement nutritional labelling for use on shelves or packaging for bread, cakes, meat and dairy products displayed in a loose or unwrapped state or packed on the premises. The labelling should be consistent with the traffic light labelling system developed by the Food Standards Agency.

• Ensure food and drink labelling is consistent in format and content. In particular, it should refer to salt (as opposed to sodium), the content per 100 gand use kcals as the measure of energy.

• Continue to support the Department of Health in providing clear information about healthy eating.

• Ensure the UK continues to set the standard of best practice by pursuing exemption from potentially less effective EU food labelling regulations when appropriate.