Chile

Calls Grow for Graphic Health Warnings⁢ on Ultra-Processed Foods

Experts are increasingly advocating for ‌stark, cigarette-style health warnings on ultra-processed foods, ⁢arguing that teh ⁤current traffic light labelling ‌system is insufficient adn fails to adequately inform consumers about potential health risks, including hidden additives.

Professor⁢ Corvalan believes the focus should be on making ​healthy choices easier and less healthy ones less ⁤appealing. He​ contends that ⁢while labelling is one tool, ⁢it’s‌ not a solution in itself.”There are lots of ways you can ​affect people’s choices. Labelling is just one. There is food marketing and advertising. I would ban advertising of HFSS foods in ⁤their entirety,” he stated. He further suggests a‌ financial intervention: “The big‌ thing is the price ‌of food, which⁢ is a major determinant of food consumption patterns. So the logical thing is to ‍tax unhealthy foods and subsidise healthy foods.”

The current traffic⁢ light system, while “consumer kind and ⁤simple,” is seen by some⁢ as inadequate. Professor corvalan advocates for a compulsory system, stating, “It ‍is what we have got, so why​ not make it​ compulsory?” However, experience in ⁣Chile demonstrates the need for clarity.⁣ Chile, initially influenced by the UK’s traffic light system, found the combination of colours confusing for its population. “People in chile could not​ understand the combination of‍ colours with the traffic light system. We needed​ a simpler image that would say ‘No, this is​ not OK’,” explained⁤ Professor Corvalan.

This led Chile to adopt a mandatory system,⁢ a contrast to the ​UK’s voluntary approach. Professor corvalan criticises the ⁤UK’s hesitancy, stating, “The UK has developed some ‍of the greatest policies in these areas, but unfortunately you ‍have never moved forward with them… I ‍think that the food industry ‌plays a huge role in your economy, in your policy making, and it is not allowing you to reverse this epidemic – that is ‌very bad, because it is killing people.”

The UK Department of health and Social Care (DHSC) maintains it is indeed taking action, stating they are “bringing in a modernised food nutrient scoring system to reduce childhood obesity” as part​ of a 10-Year Health Plan⁢ focused on prevention.⁣ They⁤ also highlight restrictions on junk food advertising, limitations on volume price promotions, and mandatory reporting ⁣on healthy food sales.

Food manufacturers are also responding.Kellanova, owner of Kellogg’s, reports having cut sugar in Coco Pops by 50% since 2017 and displaying traffic ⁣light labelling on all packs, claiming all their children’s cereals are non-HFSS. They also⁤ point to the nutritional benefits⁢ of fortified cereals, stating they “make significant contribution to vitamin D intakes in British​ children.”

The Food ​& Drink Federation defends the current traffic light system, stating it “provides clear ‍information on what’s a ‘high’ level for certain⁣ nutrients, such as fat, ​salt and sugar, as well as what’s ‘low’.”

However, the growing calls for more impactful warnings suggest a wider consensus that current measures may not ‍be enough to combat the ⁣health ​consequences of ultra-processed food consumption.