UK foods to follow single labelling system

The UK government will say today that the nation must adopt a single, consistent food labelling system. Health Secretary Alan Johnson will announce the government's nutrition labelling plans later today, as part of a wider-reaching obesity strategy.

The promise of a "single, simple and effective"food labelling system is designed to provide consumers with consistent information, following concerns that the three different labelling schemes in use today could be leading to confusion.

Johnson, who will be addressing Parliament this afternoon, is expected to say:  "We know that clear, simple front of pack labelling helps consumers make healthier choices and make a positive contribution to a healthy diet which is essential if we are to turn the tide on rising levels of obesity."

"That is why I am determined that we must see the adoption of a single labelling system based on the best available evidence."

The main types of front-of-pack nutrition labels currently used in the UK  are the Food Standard Agency's (FSA) traffic light scheme, a monochrome Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) system, and traffic light colour-coded GDAs.