Mixed signals on food labelling
AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that 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 is 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
30 November 2011
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753
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