Mixed signals on food labelling

The AMA says the Government has dropped the ball on making much-needed major reforms to food labelling.

AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton said the Government has responded positively to a number of recommendations of the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy, but its failure to show leadership on traffic light labelling for foods was a huge disappointment.

Dr Hambleton said he couldn’t understand how the Government could cite ‘lack of evidence’ as a reason not to endorse a traffic light labelling system at this time.

“The traffic light system was one of the key recommendations of the independent expert panel chaired by Dr Neal Blewett, which the Ministerial Council on Food Regulation expressly commissioned to investigate the evidence,” Dr Hambleton said.

“The panel investigated the evidence thoroughly, consulted broadly, and it made its recommendation accordingly.

“By dropping the ball on traffic light labelling, the Government has caved in to industry and missed an opportunity to show leadership in helping families make better food choices.

“Poor food choices contribute heavily to the high levels of chronic diseases and rising rates of obesity in Australia.

“The AMA will continue to argue for the approach that best serves the health of Australians, and not the interests of the food industry.

“We now call on the State and Territory representatives on the Food Regulation Ministerial Council to decide responsibly and support the implementation of a traffic light food labelling system,” Dr Hambleton said.

The AMA's analysis of the current evidence regarding Traffic Light Labelling can be found at http://ama.com.au/traffic-light-labelling-the-evidence

JF