JEREMY WATSON
FOODS high in fat, sugar and salt are to get compulsory warning labels under plans being put forward to tackle Britain�s burgeoning obesity crisis.
The government�s food watchdog body, the Food Standards Agency, believes manufacturers are not acting quickly enough to reduce the amounts of the three ingredients in the products they sell for children.
The FSA says a system that labels foods such as snacks and confectionery according to their content of sugar, fat and salt will help consumers to identify healthier options.
The FSA�s proposals are contained in a new action plan that will be sent to health ministers later this year. The plan calls on the food industry to work with it to help children eat a healthier diet.
Sir John Krebs, the agency�s chairman, said the FSA had recently been working with the industry to reduce salt content in food but that the momentum for change in other areas was now increasing.
Pointing to the high levels of fat, sugar and salt in many products for children, he said: "It is now possible to think about foods that are healthier and those that are less healthy."
Hinting that action may be forced on the companies unless they make changes, he added: "There is now a window of opportunity for the food industry to take a lead."
The government last week revealed its impatience with the food industry by naming and shaming several companies for failing to cut the salt content of their products.
Under the FSA action plan, manufacturers of products with a high sugar and salt content would be forced to print warning labels.
The FSA says many children�s diets contain too much fat and sugar, which contributes to obesity. Labelling products high, medium or low in fat and sugar would "encourage consumers to choose alternative, healthier foods".