Obesity and the European Food Assessment

' (EurActiv 2008)

'The traffic light Scheme was shown to be the most effective of by the FSA. What they also discovered was that consumers wanted product labeling; they liked separate information on 4 key nutrients that include fats, carbohydrates, proteins and salts and sugars.' (EurActiv, 2010) Consumers found traffic color coding easy to understand and use. As a result they wanted numerical information on amount of nutrients in a serving. However they found GDA percentage rather confusing. Also the importance of making nutrition and ingredient labeling mandatory on wines, beers and spirits and having a consistent mandatory labeling system with color codes was emphasized by the NGOs representing different areas of health at the hearing. These products could not be eliminated from the labeling because they were part of the foods that contributed to obesity.

At the public hearing on efficient food, (Public Hearing on Efficient foods, 2011) Mr. Csibi closed the debate ensuring all those concerned that the European Parliament would be involved in the preparation of the legislation and the "the end product is both of added benefit to European consumers without posing additional unnecessary burdens for food product manufacturers.' What he meant is that the people in question were the consumers but the needs of manufacturers in this situation was also of high concern.

In the end, the European Commission had to adopt a proposal on the provision of food information to consumers. The proposal that saw the light of the day combines directive of the European Parliament and the Council on the labeling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs and on nutrition labeling for foodstuffs into one instrument. The final argument was that nutritional labels can help you choose between products and keep a check on the amount of foods high in fats, salt and added sugars that you are eating. Most pre-packed foods have a nutrition label on the back or side of the packaging."These labels usually include information on energy (calories), protein, carbohydrates, and fat. However sometime this information is not always true and can be misleading, this therefore means that a lot of care has to be taken and those involved have to be on the check." (DN Sanco, 2011)

Conclusion

On 16 June 2010, The European Parliament (EP) 'voted to make nutrition labeling of pre-packed foods mandatory,' and rejected 'traffic light' system. This is after a heavy lobby between the stakeholders and which saw EU food and drink industry chip out a billion Euros to fight against a mandatory traffic light labeling scheme. The Confederation of EU Food and Drink Industries (CIAA) welcomed the rejection of the traffic light scheme but endorsed the use of "guideline daily amount' stipulations on products. However no quick agreement with the EU council is expected on food labeling regulations which are still likely to be sent back to the parliament for second reading. The new labeling rules in particular aim to ensure that consumers suffering from food allergies or who wish to avoid eating certain ingredients for any other reasons are informed.

Works Cited

DN Sanco, (2011) European Vegetarian and Animal News Alliance (EVANA): Renewed Commitment of stakeholders to Combat Overweight and Obesity Related Health Issues Brussels, Belgium

European Public Health Alliance, (2011) putting citizens' health at the heart of Europe, Brussels, Belgium: Retrieved from www.epha.org/a/3107

EurActiv, (2008) European Food Safety Authority: Food industry, food labeling Retrieved from http://www.euractiv.com/en/cap/smes-hit-cost-eu-food-labelling-proposals/article-174970

EurActiv, (2011) Europe Urged to recognize Chronic Obesity Brussels, Belgium: Retrieved from http: / www / euractiv.com.en/health / Europe

Stephen C, Elizabeth R. (2010). EU Introduces Food Labeling Plan to cut obesity rates: Brussels: Europe: Retrieved from http: / www / statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-561-m/85-561-m2008013-eng.htm

Food Labeling, (2010) Labeling of Food made from Packaging Brussels, Belgium: Retrieved from http:/federal register.gov/a/2010/21243.....