On the day that the Government published its obesity strategy, ASDA today (23rd January 2008) backed the call for the entire food industry to adopt a consistent approach to nutritional labelling.
The supermarket also announced it had become the first retailer to hit the Food Standard Agency's (FSA) strict salt reduction targets, removing 396 tonnes of salt from its 12,000 own brand products two years ahead of the 2010 deadline.
In July 2007, ASDA launched a dual labelling system, combining the benefits of 'traffic lights' with GDAs, over and above the Food Standard Agency's (FSA) recommendations.
ASDA's dual nutritional label or 'hybrid' system has been welcomed by both the FSA and health minister Dawn Primarolo MP.
It is specifically designed to be read and understood in under two seconds, making it easier for busy shoppers to choose healthier foods at a glance.
The move to reduce salt from its products follows a string of health initiatives introduced by ASDA over the past twelve months, following its pledge to improve the quality of its food while keeping prices as low as possible for customers.
The supermarket also recently announced it had successfully removed all the artificial colours, flavours, hydrogenated vegetable oil and aspartame from its entire range of own brand products, ahead of any other UK retailer.
Vanessa Hattersley, ASDA's head nutritionist said: "We're determined to lead the way on this important issue. Millions of families depend on us to provide them with a range of good quality food that tastes great and is affordable. They also want the food they buy to be clearly labelled so it's easier for them to make the right choices for a healthy, balanced diet.
"We hope that our efforts to reduce salt, fat and sugar from our products, remove the 'nasties', and introduce a dual labelling system will go some way to making our customers' lives a little easier."
ASDA also backed calls for the rest of the food industry to fall into line, Vanessa added: "Retailers have made great strides in the fight against obesity; however it's now time for the entire food industry to follow our lead and introduce a consistent labelling system that combines both GDAs and traffic lights."
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