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Labelling Logic: AFGC opposes traffic light labelling

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has rejected the use of the traffic light front-of-pack labelling system recommended in the Labelling Logic report, saying it was “badly understood” by consumers.

Traffic light labelling is a colour-coded system used to indicate the nutritional level of food products, for example, a red label might indicate a product high in fat or sugar, or an unhealthy choice, whilst a green label signifies a healthier choice.

The Labelling Logic report has proposed the system to be implemented on a voluntary basis.

“Industry rejects traffic light labelling on the basis that it’s badly understood by consumers and the system has been rejected by countries around the world,” AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said. 

Carnell said the Daily Intake Guide (DIG), used in the European Union, was the preferred labelling system.

“Industry is happy to work with Government to discuss delivering the DIG system to support recommendation 50 – to ensure DIG front of pack labels are better understood by consumers,” Carnell said.

DIG front-of-pack labels outline the amount of energy, fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt in a standard portion of the food and how that translates to average daily intake. According to the AFGC,  research shows DIG front-of-pack labelling currently appears on more than 4000 food and beverage products.

Despite traffic light labeling, there are a number of recommendations in the report that AFGC supports:

•         The need for a “single, consistent front of pack labelling system to provide accurate nutrition information to consumers and avoid conflicting messages about the health attributes of foods”.

•         A comprehensive Nutrition Policy being developed as part of a broader National Food Policy.

•         Australia’s existing mandatory Country-of-Origin labelling requirements are retained and extended to cover all primary food products for retail sale, and to remove Country of Origin Labelling provisions from the Food Standards Code, giving sole responsibility to the ACCC.

The AFGC is developing a response to the recommendations outlined in the Labelling Logic report for the Federal Government.

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