Call for junk food labels

In an attempt to fight growing rates of obesity, Australian Federal health Minister Tony Abbott wants the food industry to warn consumers of the health risks of their own products. Comparing the proposed labels to those found on cigarette packets he said "It wouldn't be as large [or] as gory as the graphic health warnings that are now on cigarette packets", but said it would be "an unmistakable sign to consumers of what they are doing to themselves when they consume [fast food]". His proposal was supported by the Dietitians Association of Australia but has been openly rejected by several major food companies.

Rather than legislating the new labels Mr Abbott said he planned to work closely with the food industry over the next few months to negotiate labeling reform. Unfortunately the food industry response has shown a reluctance to accept that they have a critical role to play in overcoming obesity. Richard Rijs, managing director of Patties Foods, which makes Four'N Twenty pies, said "If Mr Abbott, like many other people, want to keep beating up food companies when the most obvious reason for obesity is inactivity, they can do that." While Coca-Cola Amatil group managing director Terry Davis said the labels would not make "one scrap of difference" to the childhood obesity problem. Sarah Gibbons from McDonald's Public Affairs said "we don't accept the responsibility for what is happening in society with our children".

While manufacturers are currently required to show a nutritional panel on food packaging Mr Abbott likened this to the fine print in insurance policies that "almost no one reads". He announced that he wanted more prominent labels that were more meaningful to consumers such as the percentage of daily energy requirements or how long they would have to exercise to use up the energy.

Meanwhile Mr Abbott has again rejected calls for a ban on junk food advertising aimed at children saying "I don't think we can cover our population with cling wrap", "information rather than dictation is what Australians need".