SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has finally succumbed to pressure to introduce a traffic light system of food labelling – in a move welcomed by health campaigners and consumer groups.
The retailer resisted pressure to introduce red, orange and yellow tags on its products – fearing the effect on sales if customers saw a red label and preferring to retain it’s own system of guideline daily amounts (GDA).
But it has now announced it will follow the example of Waitrose and Asda – and has backed calls for a unified nationwide system of food labelling..
Philip Clarke, Tesco’s chief executive said: “We are committed to doing what is right for our customers and therefore have decided to bring together the distinct benefits of GDAs and traffic lights. We know customers are looking for a consistent approach, and intend to work with government, health bodies, other retailers and manufacturers to deliver this.”
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “Which? has long been campaigning for supermarkets to improve nutritional information on packaging, so this is a positive step from Tesco. With obesity levels on the increase it’s more important than ever that people know what’s in their food so they can make an informed choice. Which? wants all food retailers and manufacturers to include traffic lights on food packaging.”
Peter Hollins, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “This action by the UK’s largest supermarket will help millions of busy shoppers to make healthier eating choices and could have a real impact on people’s diets.
“We hope others will build on Tesco’s initiative and commit to working with government to introduce consistent and easy to understand food labelling – including traffic light colours – across the country.”
