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Mandatory UK Food Labels Urged Amid Obesity Crisis
10 Jan
Summary
- Consumer group Which? demands mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling.
- Traffic light system is preferred but needs improvement for clarity.
- Obesity crisis costs the NHS over £11 billion annually.
A consumer advocacy group, Which?, is calling for mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling in the UK to combat the nation's obesity crisis. The organization suggests enhancing the existing traffic light system, which uses color-coding to indicate fat, sugar, and salt content.
Research indicates that shoppers prefer this system but desire improvements such as increased prominence and larger font sizes. Which? highlights inconsistencies in its current voluntary application, with some retailers omitting or poorly implementing the labels. This lack of standardization hinders consumers' ability to make informed decisions.
Obesity is a significant public health issue, with an estimated 64% of English adults being overweight or obese in 2022 and a record number of primary school children affected. The financial burden on the NHS exceeds £11 billion each year, underscoring the urgency for policy changes.
