Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published new guidelines over the nutrition labels that many manufacturers and retailers should print on the front of every food packet to reduce confusion. This decision is related to their effort to help consumers and shoppers in choosing healthier food options. However, the step taken by FSA is in fact bringing about various responses from consumer and health groups. Most of them are disappointed because the scheme that will give them the information about the unhealthy food is just an optional.

Because of the pressure from food industry, the requirement about a traffic light warning system has been canceled. Previously, companies must label any food with high level of fat, salt, or sugar with red mark. Green mark shows the indication of low levels and amber for medium levels. Now, companies are only commanded to print the words ‘high’, ‘medium’, and ‘low’ to replace the code-color system. These words are noted next to the key nutritional information such as the level of calories, salt, sugar, saturated fat and fat each portion contains and also the adult’s recommended daily allowance for those categories.

Responses that arise related to the change have met to the conclusion that many parties are disappointed, they argued that the traffic light labels have been the best option since it gives more details information about healthy and unhealthy food to the consumers. On the other hand, FSA responded that the socialization of traffic light system had been undergone for nearly a decade and when it came to unsatisfying result, they decided to attempt the new method which is the words labeling. Some retailers agree by using the words print system but some other claimed that compares to the traffic light system this one is too simplistic.

FSA stated that the color-coded system is now carried out to get the voluntary agreement so manufacturers and retailers will be persuaded to use the system that many consumers desired. However, another party wants FSA to stick on the exact rule so consumer will not get confused with the information about the food they buy. In addition, the new guidelines FSA announced should be signed off by its Board and this will become the rules for many food industries. However, FSA’s guidelines is are obviously and totally compulsory.  (fallen)