The information on printed labels for food products should be simplified as much as possible so that shoppers can see what they are getting almost instantly.

This is according to Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, who told ABC Local that the front of packaging does not need to be full of information, as nutritional information is typed out in detail on the back.

"Is it good? Is it bad? People are busy. There are 40,000 different products in a grocery store. They just basically want thumbs up or thumbs down," she pointed out.

Ms Wootan added that manufacturers are not creating printed labels as effectively as they could be doing and urged them to change to help shoppers.

Earlier this month, the European Parliament approved new legislation that will see tables included on the printed labels of food products to display their fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar, protein and salt levels at a glance.

Denny Bros Ltd, 13 July 2011