According to the Irish Heart Foundation, voting in support of an integrated front-of-pack label would benefit public health by showing consumers at a glance the amount of fat, sugar, salt and calories contained in products.

The balance of evidence shows that the strongest front of pack label combines traffic light colours, the words high, medium and low as well as percentage Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) in addition to levels of nutrients in a portion of the product.  Traffic light labelling using red, green and amber colours to denote high, medium or low levels of fat, salt and sugar in a food product, is best understood by consumers. GDA labelling on its own has been shown to be confusing, not fully understood and misleading.

Maureen Mulvihill, Head of Health Promotion, Irish Heart Foundation, has called on all Irish MEPS to vote in support of public health and the amendments for traffic light labelling.

She said: “We are in the midst of an obesity epidemic, facing increasing deaths and health problems from heart disease and stroke. Now is the time to help consumers know what nutrients are contained in complex processed foods such as ready meals and snack foods. These foods are often high in either fat, sugar or salt and the consumer is entitled to clear and understandable nutrition labelling to direct them towards healthier products.”

MEPS will also vote on back-of-pack labelling which gives further detailed information on eight key nutrients relevant to consumers.

The Irish Heart Foundation is the national charity working to prevent death and disability from cardiovascular diseases (CVD).  An important focus of its work is nutrition and how to change eating patterns in Ireland across socio-economic groups. Unhealthy diets are a major cause of both heart disease and stroke.
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Note:
61% of Irish adults and 22% of Irish children (5-12 yrs) are either overweight or obese. (Slán 2007)