Evidence to support the system: a 2013 UK Co-Op survey of 2000 shoppers 70% of women and 48% of men look at food labels 55% of women check traffic lights and 76% examine product ingredients before they buy. 41 % of women (30% of men) say a red traffic light has stopped them buying a product that’s high in fat, salt or sugar Source: operative-food-research-champions-traffic- lights-and-new-front-of-pack-labelling/

Evidence to support the system: a 2-Year study at a hospital cafeteria in the US that used traffic lights on its menu The percentage of red-labelled food that employees purchased decreased from 24% of items to 21% of items. Purchases of green items went up from 41% to 45%. The change was lasting – with purchases at 24 months being somewhat healthier than at the 12 month mark. Furthermore, all employees shared the healthy choices. The authors write, “analyses of employee purchases by age and gender did not demonstrate any important differences.” Source: roduct-labeling-healthy-food- choices/41334

In the long term, traffic light labels would actually be harmful to health: A diet of only ‘green light’ products would be an unhealthy diet. Traffic light labels can be misleading: Diet Coke would have four green lights, making it appear healthier than fruit juice. The traffic light label does not differentiate enough between products: Low-fat margarine would have the same red light as normal margarine. The traffic light is misleading. Even healthy foods like milk, whole grain bread and olive oil would have red lights and be labelled as unhealthy. Traffic light labels categorise food products as being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and discriminate against many foodstuffs. Traffic light labels do not make people eat better. Arguments against the traffic light system Source: we-do/topics/traffic-light-labels/more- information/10-arguments/

A spokesman for Italian food producers group Federalimentare said Italian food exports to the UK considered ‘red light’ foods were worth €632 million. ‘Since surveys show 30 per cent of men won't buy red light foods, we potentially stand to lose around €200 million in business,’ he said. Italian experts claim the UK system is absurd because it merely cites fat content without advising the consumer on how much of the food should be eaten. ‘Food can be fatty, but it only becomes dangerous if that is the only food I eat,’ said Carlo Petrini, the head of the Italian Slow Food movement, which defends traditional Italian fare, including fatty salamis, rich cheeses and lard. ‘Giving information about food is one thing, but being aggressive and over simplistic is another thing,’ he said. ‘Food is complex and should not be guided by traffic lights but by the brain and by good sense’. Italian criticism of food traffic light labelling Source: complains-to-EU-over-Britains-unjustified-and-thoughtless-food- labelling.html

FSA Citizens’ Forums on Food: Front of Pack (FoP) Nutrition Labelling Findings Parents shopping for food for children tended to study FOP information carefully. It was seen as particularly important for children to have a balanced diet. People seeking to diet and lose weight also pay attention to this information. The labels offered a convenient way of keeping track of nutrients such as fats and sugars and were useful for those trying to monitor and control their calorie intake. People who normally cooked from scratch tended to view FoP nutritional information as being aimed at those who eat processed and convenience foods. People also tended to use FOP information more when they ‘eat on the go’ rather than going for the weekly shop.

Obesity rates among adults in European countries, 1990, 2000 and 2010 Source: OECD

1.What is the UK food traffic light labelling system? 2.Why has it been introduced in the UK? 3.What are its benefits and who supports it? 4.What are its drawbacks and who opposes it? Key background questions

 How does the traffic light labelling system compare to the Danish standard?  How similar or different are the UK and Danish markets? Does this make a difference to whether or not the system should be adopted?  What are the potential benefits and drawbacks for consumers, producers and retailers? Key questions for the Danish market