MEPs HAVE rejected proposals for colour-coded warnings on packaging as a means of warning increasingly obese consumers of the dangers lurking in the food they consume.
However, mandatory country-of-origin labelling for chicken and fish moved a step closer following the committee vote by MEPs last week. Members of the European Parliament’s public health and food safety committee also voted to introduce labelling showing whether free-range or battery eggs were used.
The defeat of proposals for a “traffic light” system is seen as a victory for big food companies, which lobbied vigorously against it. The system would have required companies to put red, green or amber labels on packets to indicate the salt, sugar, fat and calorie content.
The only member from the Republic on the committee, Labour’s Nessa Childers, said it was likely the traffic light proposals would get another chance when the issue comes before the full parliament in June.