The UK government is facing renewed pressure to make the front-of-pack 'traffic light' nutrition labelling system compulsory for all food and drink products. This call to action comes directly from the consumer champion Which?, which describes the nation's escalating weight problem as an 'obesity crisis'.
The Case for Compulsory Clarity
At present, the familiar colour-coded system, which highlights levels of fat, saturated fat, sugars, and salt in red, amber, or green, operates on a purely voluntary basis. Which? argues this has led to a confusing patchwork of information across supermarket aisles, with significant inconsistencies between different retailers and brands.
The watchdog is urging ministers to mandate the scheme, ensuring every product carries a standardised, colour-coded label. This move would prevent supermarkets from omitting the labels entirely or displaying only the numerical data without the crucial visual cues. Research by Which? found that nearly half (47%) of shoppers rely on the colours to quickly interpret the nutritional content.
How Shoppers Use Labels and Where They Fall Short
The traffic light system, introduced back in 2013, remains a key tool for many consumers. A study involving over 500 shoppers revealed that 33% look at the nutrition label first when selecting an item, particularly for snacks, dairy, and cereals.
However, focus groups highlighted areas for improvement. Shoppers want the labels to be larger and more prominent on packaging. There is also strong criticism of unrealistic serving sizes used by some manufacturers. Portions are often listed as smaller than what people actually eat, which can misleadingly shift a product's rating from a 'red' to an 'amber'.
The inconsistency is stark. Which? identified that some retailers, notably Iceland, do not feature the government-recommended traffic light labels on their own-brand ranges at all.
Government and Industry Reaction
In response to the calls, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care pointed to upcoming reforms. They stated the government is developing a 'modernised food nutrient scoring system' as part of its wider 10 Year Health Plan.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC), representing supermarkets, stated that retailers have 'led the way' on voluntary labelling. However, they expressed an openness to any measures that genuinely help customers make informed decisions.
A Critical Step from 'Sickness to Prevention'
The push for clearer labelling is set against a stark public health backdrop. Recent statistics estimate that 64% of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity. Which? believes that robust, mandatory labelling—enforced by the Food Standards Agency—is a vital step in shifting the national focus from treating sickness to promoting prevention, empowering every shopper with the information they need at a glance.
