MEP heart group calls for simpler food labels

Euro deputy Adamos Adamou has called for simpler labelling on foods in order to help combat deaths from heart disease, described as the “number one killer” in Europe.

Speaking on Wednesday at a meeting of parliament’s heart group, the Cypriot MEP said, “Consumers demand and people need better information on labels; information that is clear, simple, comprehensive, and standardised.

“As co-chair of the MEP heart group, I want labels that really make a difference. There are many issues for the group to consider but it would be useful to have mandatory front-of-pack signposting of four key nutrients that are colour coded.

“Front-of-pack labelling would allow consumers to know at a glance whether a product contributes to their health or not.

“To achieve this, simplified front-of-pack labelling of four key nutrients, energy, saturated/trans fats, sugars and salt, must be presented in an easy to understand way.”

The non-aligned deputy is particularly keen on the UK ‘traffic light’ system, saying this is an effective idea and should be supported at a European level.

The traffic light system helps consumers see at a glance whether the contents of a certain product are within a healthy limit. Food with a green light is the healthiest option and a red light warns that this product should not be eaten regularly.

Susanne Logstrup, director of the European heart network – speaking at the same event – also called on the commission to make colour coding mandatory on the front of foodstuffs and introduce compulsory ‘back of pack’ labelling of the ‘big eight’ (energy, protein, carbohydrate, sugars, fibre, fat, saturated fat, trans fat and salt).

William Wijns of the European society of cardiology, said, “We, as health professionals, clearly see the need to adopt clear information in the front of food packages.”

The MEP heart group aims to promote measures that will help reduce the burden of heart disease in the EU and raise awareness of the problem.

Cardiovascular disease is the number in killer in Europe, accounting for 4.3 million deaths and costing the EU over €192bn each year.

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