MP Twigg joins calls for clearer labelling of food
HALTON MP Derek Twigg has called for the public to be given clearer nutritional information when they buy food as he threw his support behind a campaign by Diabetes UK.
Mr Twigg said that more information should be given in restaurants, cafes and takeaways, and on all prepackaged food and drinks, at a parliamentary event hosted by Diabetes UK as part of its ongoing Food Upfront campaign.
The campaign is calling on the Government to make front-of-pack traffic light labelling mandatory on all pre-packed food and drinks sold in the UK, introduce mandatory calorie labelling on menus in key high street food outlets and carb content available online and in store.
Traffic-light labelling assigns a red, amber or green value in relation to fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt, as well as giving information on the calories in a product, to help consumers find out what is in the food they are buying.
Diabetes UK also wants to ensure carbohydrates are labelled, per portion as prepared.
Mr Twigg said: “The public have made it clear that they support clearer labelling on food and drink to help them make healthier and better informed decisions about what they eat, so I’m happy to lend my support to Diabetes UK’s Food Upfront campaign.
“Putting these simple measures into place could make a huge difference to the nation as a whole.
“Obesity and weight related chronic health conditions – including Type 2 diabetes – continue to rise, and it’s important that MPs and the Government as a whole do everything they can to halt this growing health crisis.”
Clear labelling is vital for diabetics to help them manage their condition and reduce their risk of serious complications. In a 2017 survey of more than 9,000 people living with or affected by diabetes, almost three quarters of respondents said that if all companies used the same food labelling system it would help them to make healthier choices.
Public polling revealed that nine out of 10 people said traffic-light food labelling helps them make healthier decisions, while only 29% of people said they felt they had enough information about what’s in their food.
More than three quarters of people said that cafes, restaurants and takeaways should display calorie information on their menus, so that customers understand the content of the food and drink they buy.
Helen Dickens, assistant director of campaigns and mobilisation at Diabetes UK, said: “We know that consistent and clear labelling can help all of us to make informed choices.
“For people with diabetes, easy access to clear and consistent labelling, for example on carbohydrate content, is vital to supporting them with their diabetes management.
“With around two-thirds of adults, and almost a third of children in the UK classed as overweight or obese, and therefore at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions, it’s really important that we have measures in place that help make it easier for all of us to know what’s in the food we’re buying.
“That’s why we are calling for the Government to strengthen and, when possible, introduce mandatory front ● of pack traffic-light labelling on packaging, and calorie labelling on menus.
“The British public overwhelmingly support these moves, so we are grateful to Derek Twigg for his efforts in helping put these potentially lifechanging measures into practice.”
To find out more about Diabetes UK’s Food Upfront campaign, or any aspect of its work, visit www.diabetes. org.uk/food-upfront