Call for traffic light labelling system on food packaging

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has called for a new standardised ‘traffic light’ labelling system on the front of food and drink packaging to address the issues of high levels of salt, fat and sugar consumption and to reduce the number of stomach cancer cases, arising due to high salt content in processed food. As per WCRF health information head Kate Mendoza, “Standardised labelling among retailers and manufacturers – rather than the different voluntary systems currently in place – would help consumers make better informed and healthy choices.” The traffic light labelling system consists of the three colours red, amber and green, which indicate the high, medium and low levels of nutrients respectively.