Food labels unclear for parents: UK heart group

Parents may misunderstand the nutrition information on children's foods, the British Heart Foundation says.

The foundation commissioned an online survey of 1, 454 parents who are 16 to 64 years old and have children aged 15 or under.

As part of its food labelling campaign, the heart foundation looked at how manufacturers have "distracting health-like claims to market breakfast foods and lunchbox snacks," Peter Hollins, chief executive of the foundation said in a statement.

"Smoke-and-mirror tactics means that foods targeted at children and high in fat, salt and sugar are being disguised with partial health claims suggesting they’re a healthy choice.

"Regularly eating these types of foods could have serious implications for kids' future health."

Red alerts on labels

Of the parents surveyed, 84 per cent supported calls for a single, front-of-package labelling system for food.

"It’s time for food companies to stop making excuses, support one system and ensure shoppers are given ‘at a glance’ information about the foods they’re giving their kids," Hollins said.

Britain's Food Standards Agency has also said that a single, front-of-package label would be helpful.

In Canada last week, the Centre for Science in the Public Interest made a similar call for changes to food labels in a letter to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

The centre proposed labels that would use the red and yellow colours of traffic lights to alert consumers to products with certain levels of saturated or trans fats, cholesterol, sodium or added sugars.

The label would also say:

• The per cent of grains that are whole grains.
• Disclose caffeine content per serving.
• Include easier-to-read information that is not printed in capital letters and separates the ingredients with bullet points.

The British Heart Foundation called for a ban on all junk food ads on television before 9 p.m., and a mandatory front-of pack-food labelling system to help parents understand the nutritional values of products.

On its website, the British Food and Drink Federation said its manufacturers are committed to providing consumers with clear food labels, including guideline daily amounts.