Swiss light should be easy to understand

On the back of the packaging is neatly listed, how much sugar, fat or salt foods, such as yoghurt or muesli. But who reads that? A colored traffic light must be, which inform the consumers of Green to Orange to Red, as recommended consumption of a food, found Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Mondelez and Pepsico.

at the beginning of 2019, you should see your traffic light on the first product packaging. The project failed, however, the five food groups were covered in mid-November, the traffic lights, lack of acceptance by consumers and governments.

the Only Coca-Cola holds on to the request to print the traffic light "test record" on the label. Now, the policy is asked, it is called Nestlé. The group called on the EU authorities to agree on a Europe-wide solution. Traffic light red, topic dead?

Danone on dashes ahead

Ironically, another food giant, now as a game spoiler. Danone leads after the new year, step by step, a traffic light, on all its dairy products in Switzerland, then Belgium and Germany. The Multi-relies on the traffic light, Nutri-Score, which has proven itself in the French home market of the company.

A Plan, the Minister of health of Alain Berset like. Consumers needed a simple solution. "I welcome it, therefore, that in Switzerland, a System is introduced, the food as a Whole," said Berset, this week, the "Migros-Magazin". The System not only for customers, but also for other actors who would be so inspired perhaps.

the praise of The President of the Swiss Confederation can sit up and take notice. Danone has adopted the traffic light, Nutri-Score only, was launched by the French government. Berset in mind, apparently, a similar approach, with the Paris a year ago against 100 of the most important food manufacturers and retail chains for the voluntary Adoption of the Standards of the traffic light, Nutri-Score won. France prevented so that a proliferation of different Standards confuses the consumer.

The French light has been ratified by Belgium, adopted and of Spain, where 500 manufacturer with 3500 products join. In the Netherlands, Nutri-Score is in discussion in Portugal, the trade is examining the introduction of the traffic light.

Now, health Minister Berset of Switzerland, is active. "The admission of a color-coded nutritional labelling on the front of the packaging is currently being discussed," says Nathalie Rochat of the Swiss Federal office for food safety. With approval, it is meant that transfers can be consider "whether a System such as Nutri-Score is in accordance with the current food law is permissible or not".

In France, the traffic light system is voluntary, but it has been developed by scientists. Advocates say that you care for uniform quality standards. Nutri-Score is not satisfied, to recognise substances such as sugar, salt or fat Industry critical. Because it evaluates the health effective ingredients, positive if, for example, fruits, or dietary fiber is added or whole grain flour is used.

Complicated, the Swiss light should not be. "It is important to us that a single solution is found, which is understood by the consumers and accepted," says Rochat of the Swiss Federal office for food safety.

"things are moving slowly," says Barbara Pfenninger from the Western Swiss consumer Association FRC. It is possible that the Failure of Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Mondelez and Pepsico, making way for a traffic light, "is easily understandable and meaningful". Berset should take the Chance.

praise for Nutri-Score

"The Federal government should decide which simplified nutrition Declaration he wants to support, then the food industry, as well as the trade for win and in the implementation support," says Pfenniger. And he should be controlling after the introduction of a traffic light", the correct Declaration, for example, by the food inspectors of the cantons". Nutri-Score is an "effective light", a valabler candidate for a Swiss Standard.

In the EU failed a traffic light in 2010 on the resistance of the industry. Now Brussels is active again: at the beginning of 2019, an analysis is published, then the debate on Europe-to start a wide set of traffic lights.

Migros, Coop and Emmi were so far against a traffic light. Can't understand the Western Swiss consumer activist Pfenniger: "Many Swiss manufacturers have made greater efforts than in the foreign countries, to improve the quality of the food. A traffic light would make their efforts to produce better food, Yes, is just visible."

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 22.12.2018, 07:56 PM