Should foods now carry health warnings?

MarS Food’s announcement that it will put a ‘once a week’ or ‘occasional’ consumption health warning on products is a positive example of an ethical marketing decision in response to consumer demand. This bold move not only shows that Mars Food understand the health issues surrounding the salt, fat and sugar content of their product, but also that it has listened to concerned customers who want more honesty in food labelling when planning a balanced diet to possibly include the occasional indulgence. Given the recent concerns over sugar and salt, Mars Food’s decision to clearly mark products that are not intended to be eaten daily is a significant step in the right direction. CHRIS DALY, Chartered Institute of Marketing, London SW1. ONE of the best-known names in Italian sauces is advising us not to eat its products too often (Mail). The decision can only have been made by a man. A woman would have used her common sense and reduced the salt and sugar levels over several months, so continuing to benefit from sales while making the products healthier. JOY JAMES, Colwick, Notts. The recent announcement by Mars to limit the use of some of its products to once a week is a brilliant marketing and brand move. I know that image is the key to success due to my experience working as a music professional with David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust project. Good for Mars — everybody now knows that they are honest and apparently helping the obesity epidemic. On balance their sales will not falter. ROBIN MAYHEW, Barnham, Sussex. I THOUGHT it was funny that we are being told that jars of sauces are full of sugar and salt which is bad for us, and to limit eating to one a week. This comes hot on the heels of Jamie’s sugar tax success, but his cooking programmes are sponsored by Uncle Ben’s Rice — owned by Mars. BOB REEVES, Billericay, Essex.