New food labels will guide healthier choices

Australians will be able to make more informed, healthy food choices following a whole-of-government decision today to support a new voluntary labelling scheme on packaged food products.  Cancer Council Australia welcomed the decision, made by an intergovernmental forum on food policy, which included a requirement that the new health star rating scheme be mandatory if it is not widely adopted by food companies within two years.

 CEO Professor Ian Olver said Australia faced a significant increase in cancers caused by obesity and overweight, with food choices one of the key factors behind the anticipated rise.

 “A lot of people want to make healthier personal food choices, but research shows the current food labelling system is unclear and confusing,” Professor Olver said.

 “The health star rating scheme provides a clear, overall indication based on the amount of sugars, saturated fats and salt in packaged foods.

 “People wanting to reduce their consumption of these nutrients, which are harmful if not consumed in moderation, will have much clearer guidance when the system is introduced.

 “By basing the rating on 100 gram servings, the scheme will enable direct comparisons between products as part of providing more informed choices.”

 Professor Olver congratulated the ministers on the intergovernmental forum for supporting the scheme and for requiring that it become mandatory within two years if not supported by industry.

 “The new scheme is the result of an 18-month collaborative process involving government, food industry representatives and independent health and consumer groups,” he said.

 “We look forward to seeing the food companies adopt the new scheme to support the provision of clearer product information to their customers.”

Source Cancer Council Australia