Food labelling statement
January 2008
The British Medical Association (BMA) has a long-term interest in the health of the public and believes that the increase in the frequency of obesity is a cause for great concern. While tackling obesity requires commitment to a multi-faceted approach, there is a particular need to change dietary behaviour. The BMA considers improved and consistent food labelling to be an important mechanism for enabling consumers to make informed dietary choices.
The BMA believes that the food and drink industry should implement a standardised, consistent approach to food labelling. This approach should be based upon the traffic light front of pack labelling recommended by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). In order to increase the nutritional information available to consumers we propose that the labelling should also include Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) information.
The BMA also recognises that public awareness should be raised about the health benefits of micronutrients. This could be done in the form of in-store leaflets explaining the benefits of healthy food choices and stating which foods are rich in which micronutrients.