Graham’s Bakery has become the first independent bakery in the UK to implement the traffic light food labelling system. The family-owned business, based in Co Down, has broken ranks with the majority of indulgent food producers – who traditionally opt out of using a food labelling scheme – to follow the lead taken by supermarket chains like Sainsbury’s and Asda who use the traffic lights system.

The front of pack labelling system highlights the amount of fat, sugar and salt used in food products in an easy format, using red, green and amber colour codes to signify whether the content is high, medium or low.

Esther Anderson of Graham’s Bakery said she is aware that its indulgent cake range, which includes a Belgian chocolate sponge and banoffee cake, will be sporting mainly red and amber on the box.

“Consumers want to know about the fat and sugar content of the food they are eating and we see it as our corporate responsibility to be clear and honest about that,” said the managing director.

“We are aware that the labels on our products will be mainly red and amber but we are emphasising the fact that our cakes are largely indulgent treats and we are not recommending they are eaten with every meal. We believe everyone deserves a treat now and then, and in moderation this is perfectly acceptable.”

The size of cakes in the new Graham’s indulgent range has also been reduced, so that average portion sizes are smaller.

Ms Anderson added: “The important thing is that consumers have the information they need to make informed choices about their diet to ensure it is balanced. We would never advocate that cake is eaten instead of fruit and veg for example, but, as part of a healthy diet, a small treat will not have an adverse affect.”

As part of a wider drive to make its products healthier, Graham’s has also removed saturated fats, artificial flavours and colouring from the indulgent cakes and is researching ways to include whole grains in its recipes.

–CLAIRE HARRISON HEALTH CORRESPONDENT charrison@belfasttelegraph.co.uk Belfast Telegraph, September 18, 2008 Thursday County Edition

Source: http://www.packagingdigest.com/articleXml/LN853760113.html