Dairy UK concerned at cheese ‘red light’

UK – Cheese could be given a red label if a proposed ‘traffic lights’ system of food labelling is approved, according to Dairy UK.

The groups says that the idea could backfire by discrediting healthy foods. It has urged the UK’s Food Standards Agency to re-think one of the proposals for a nutrient profile system, which classifies foods in terms of red, amber and green.

Dairy UK chairman Sir Don Curry said: “There is real risk that this particular system will cause confusion and stigmatise food that is healthy. There is widespread acceptance that cheese is an important source of protein, calcium and other nutrients and can constitute an excellent nutritious snack. How can that merit a red light as it would under the proposed system?” Dairy UK has also submitted a slat reduction strategy for cheese to the Food Standards Agency. The idea, which show the UK industry’s commitment to reduce the salt content of cheese by 5% this year, and a further 5% the following year, if possible, has been welcomed by the government.