Improved Labelling ‘critical’ In Addressing Obesity Epidemic

Oct. 21, 2008 - PRLog -- Labelling can help people make healthier food choices and in doing so, people are more likely to follow the Australian dietary guidelines which are the key to improving overall health, she says.

Ms Mackintosh, the Heart Foundation’s National Standards and Regulatory Affairs Manager, will address the 10th Annual Food Regulation and Labelling Standards Conference in Sydney on 17-18 November.

She will discuss the effectiveness of food labelling and the importance of food reformulation by the industry.

Many companies have responded positively to the Heart Foundation’s 20-year old Tick program by reformulating their food products so that they are healthier, Ms Mackintosh says in an interview.

“However, we have a long way to go. We put out the challenge to all companies to consider their product lines and ways of improving their offerings.”

Ms Mackintosh says that a recent UK Government report estimated 70,000 lives could be saved each year if nutritional guidelines were followed. [The report referred to fruit and vegetable consumption, saturated fat, added sugar, and salt intake.]

Other speakers at the Annual Food Regulation and Labelling Standards Conference will include Joe Lederman, Managing Principal of the FoodLegal – Australian Lawyers and Consultants; John Martin, Commissioner of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission; Steve McCutcheon, CEO of Food Standards Australia New Zealand; and Dr Bruce Lee, Director of the CSIRO Food Futures Flagship.

http://www.informa.com.au/foodregulations/pr

To arrange a media pass, request more information or arrange speaker interviews please contact:
Nigel Dique
Informa-IIR
02 9080 4108
0423 024 819
nigel.dique@informa.com.au

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