UK food industry's faulty labelling scheme

The uk food industry's new nutrition labelling scheme is making its products look healthier than they really are, notes a recent report of the uk-based National Heart Forum. Under the new scheme some manufacturers and retailers are fooling customers by using misleading labels while others are manipulating the labels to promote their products rather than providing information, the February 15, 2007 report notes.

The food industry launched this alternative scheme in January to counter the traffic light labelling scheme proposed by the Food Standards Agency, a government watchdog. Twenty-one leading food companies and supermarket groups in the country have adopted the scheme.

The report also criticises food giants like Tesco, Nestl and Kellogg's and says that their 'guideline daily amounts' are based on arbitrary portions that make the food products appear healthier.