The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has rejected demands for compulsory 'traffic light' labelling on food packaging.

Some retailers such as Sainsbury's and Tesco are already using the traffic light system, which enables shoppers to see at a glance whether a product is high in calories and elements such as sugar, salt, fat and saturated fat.

Research by the government watchdog itself has shown that consumers support red amber and green food labelling to help them identify key food ingredients.

Now the FSA's ruling has led consumer groups and health campaigners to accuse the organisation of playing into the hands of food industry giants.

Chief executive of Which?, Peter Vicary-Smith, said the decision raised "serious questions" about the FSA's credibility.

"The FSA's own research shows that a combined single nutrition labelling scheme will work best for consumers, so we can't fathom why it has suddenly decided to disregard its own evidence."

An average Brit consumes almost nine grams of salt a day, despite a recommended daily allowance of six grams.

Jason Webster, www.ingredientsnetwork.com, 11 March 2010

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