TEXTO:
Research has shown that the different nutrition
labels on food are confusing. Thus, the British government
is proposing to use front-of-pack label and ‘traffic light’
colors to signal the nutritional value of processed food
[5] items.
The new labeling system aims to make it easier
for people to make healthier choices, by comparing
the same kinds of foods to see if there is a healthier
option. Color-coded nutritional information tells you at a
[10] glance if the food has high, medium or low amounts of
fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt: red means high, amber
means medium and green means low.
As part of the government’s efforts to improve health
through reducing obesity levels, the Department of Health
[15] is working with food manufacturers and supermarkets
through a program called the Responsibility Deal. This
program aims to get business to reduce the amount of
calories, salt and saturated fat in foods. The standardized
front-of-pack label is a new Responsibility Deal pledge
[20] that food and drink companies can sign up to.
Public Health Minister, Anna Soubry, said: “The UK
already has the largest number of products using a frontof-
pack label in Europe, but we know that people get
confused by the variety of labels that are used. Research
[25] shows that, of all the current schemes, people like this
label the most and they can use the information to make
healthier choices. “We all have a responsibility to tackle
the challenge of obesity, including the food industry. By
having all major retailers and manufacturers signed up to
[30] the consistent label, we will all be able to see at a glance
what is in our food — this is why I want to see more
manufacturers signing up and using the label.”
The labels are not designed to ‘demonize’ foods
with lots of reds, but to have people consider what they
[35] are eating and make sure it’s part of a balanced
diet. Making small changes to people’s diet can have a
positive impact on their health and could stop people
getting serious illnesses — such as heart disease —
later in life.
RESEARCH has shown... Disponível em: <www.nhs.uk/.../universalcolour-coded-food-nutrition-labels.aspx>. Acesso em: 8 dez. 2016.
The Responsibility Deal program
