Traffic light labels get red light

The AMA is extremely disappointed that the Forum on Food Regulation failed to endorse the traffic light system of labelling for packaged food.

AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton said that the Forum last month ignored the recommendations of the Labelling Logic report, which was prepared by an independent expert panel, and the professional advice from a range of public health authorities, including the AMA.

Dr Hambleton said that the Forum had followed the lead of the Federal Government, which had caved in to industry pressure to put industry self-regulation ahead of legislated action to protect and improve people’s health.

“The fox has been left guarding the henhouse,” Dr Hambleton said.

“The Forum has failed to make the big decisions to combat obesity and poor food choices in this country.

“It has instead opted for yet another involved deliberation process that may decide on a front-of-pack labelling system, but not a traffic light system, by the end of this year.

“The AMA wants to know the terms of reference for this new process, who will participate, how it will be conducted, what sort of collaboration is envisaged, and how the decision will be made in the end.

“Health issues around obesity and overweight are a huge problem now and require action now.

“The Australian community, doctors, and the health sector must be assured that this collaborative process is focused squarely and exclusively on the health of Australians, and not the profitability of the food manufacturing industry,” Dr Hambleton said.

The Forum on Food Regulation was formerly known as the Australian and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council.

JF