Key Stories

LABELLING
Consumers need more clarity
The European Union issued its draft Food Information Regulation, which set out to overhaul the food labelling rules. The aim is to make labels clearer by proposing a minimum font size, for example. The new regulation which will replace the current Food Labelling Directive also proposes displaying key nutrition information more prominently, on the front of pre-packaged food and drinks.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published the results of its research on the impact of the various front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes on the market. It concluded that shoppers would benefit from a single scheme that included the words 'high' 'medium' and 'low', traffic light colours and the percentage of Guideline Daily Amounts as well as the key nutrients the product contained. The FSA is now running a consultation on how such a scheme would work.

Free from artificial colours
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) asked the food and drinks industry to remove six controversial colours from products by the end of 2009. This was based on the results of a study by Southampton University that linked the colours to hyperactivity in children.

In addition the EU agreed that, from July 2010, labels on all food and drink containing the colours should warn consumers that they may have an adverse effect on children’s behaviour.

OBESITY
Government and FSA tackle weighty issues
The Department of Health reviewed the progress of its 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' obesity strategy in a report entitled 'One Year On'. The report assessed the strategy's current level of success and looked at the next steps in the fight against obesity. These include a Healthy Schools programme to improve health and nutrition in school meals and activity during break times, as well as the 'Play Strategy' to ensure interesting and free leisure spaces are available to children to promote exercise.

In addition, The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) continued to work in partnership with the food industry to achieve the aims of the Healthy Food Code. This code is designed to help consumers achieve and maintain a balanced diet. It covers a range of issues, including reformulation, marketing and portion size.

Consultations were conducted on the FSA's draft recommendations for reducing saturated fat and added sugar levels in certain foods and drinks and promoting products low in fat and sugar. It is also called for increased availability of smaller portion sizes. For soft drinks, the FSA asked manufacturers to make a voluntary 4% reduction in added sugar levels by 2012.

CHANGE4LIFE MOVES UP A GEAR
In January 2009 the Government launched a nationwide advertising campaign to promote Change4Life, one of the cornerstones of the Obesity Strategy. Change4Life calls for people to avoid becoming overweight by eating better and exercising more. It warns that, without radical changes to their diet, 90% of today’s children could be overweight or obese by 2050. It also makes clear the link between fat and preventable illnesses. Initially targeted at families with children under 11, Change4Life has now been extended to at-risk adults. A number of soft drinks companies are supporting the initiative through Business4Life.

HEALTH
Promoting healthier food
The Department of Health launched a pilot study on a voluntary Healthier Food Mark for public sector caterers, designed to highlight foods meeting specified nutrition and sustainability criteria.

In Scotland catering establishments are already rewarded for serving up healthier meals through the healthyliving award. The award is open to all caterers – from sandwich shops to staff restaurants. It encourages improvements in the way food is prepared and highlights healthy options.

ENVIRONMENT
Scotland to bring back deposit and return bottles
In June the Scottish Parliament passed the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill, with an enabling power to introduce a mandatory deposit and return scheme. By 2025 the Scottish Government wants to achieve a recycling rate of 70% and a 5% cut in waste sent to landfill and believes that giving shoppers a financial incentive for returning bottles could significantly increase levels of recycling. A minimum 90 day consultation would be required before such a scheme could be introduced.

ADVERTISING
Product placement on UK TV
In November 2009 the Government launched a consultation on whether to overturn the rules prohibiting product placement in programmes made for UK television. Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said the move recognised that the UK was one of the few countries in the world not to allow product placement and that current rules put UK broadcasters at a disadvantage against international competitors. Since the year-end, the Government has confirmed that it will allow product placement, albeit with a number of exclusions. These include foods and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar.