Consumer report sheds doubt on new food labeling scheme
PARENTS could be misled by food packaging using industry-created "canteen guidelines" to claim the foods are healthy, a consumer report shows.
The Choice report claimed the food industry was using up to 17 different "certifications" to manipulate official canteen guidelines to "promote nutrient poor" foods.
Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey said the certifications claimed to be "canteen approved", but not mentioning the actual guidelines.
Mr Godfrey said as many as 43% of parents believed foods with the logos on packaging meant they were healthier than the foods were.
An Australian Food and Grocery Council spokesman said the industry certifications were assessed on a different "nutrient system" than the official ratings.
APN NEWSDESK
