Tesco store fresh produce department

Leading UK retailer Tesco has announced that it is to adopt a new hybrid labelling system that combines its exiting Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) with the 'traffic light' colour coding method.

Tesco is making the change following new customer research suggesting that, while shoppers still favour GDAs when making purchasing decisions, they also want traffic lights to give them simple, at-a-glance guidance. Tesco noted that customers want a 'consistent approach' to food labelling, and that it would work with the government, NGOs, public health organisations and other retailers to try and achieve this.

'Tesco has led the way in giving shoppers clear information about food they eat and was the first retailer to put nutritional information on the front of our packs in 2005 when we rolled out our Guideline Daily Amount labels,' said Philip Clarke, Tesco's chief executive. 'We always listen to our customers and they have told us that by combining our popular GDA labels with traffic light colour coding we can make it even easier for them to make informed and healthy choices about the food they buy.

'We are committed to doing what is right for our customers and therefore have decided to bring together the distinct benefits of GDAs and traffic lights,' he added. 'We know customers are looking for a consistent approach, and we intend to work with government, health bodies, other retailers and manufacturers to deliver this as soon as possible.'

The news was welcomed by Andrew Lansley, secretary of state for health, as well as NGOs and public health groups, including the British Heart Foundation.

'The British Heart Foundation, the nation's heart charity, congratulates Tesco on this decision,' said Peter Hollins, chief executive of the foundation. 'This action by the UK's largest supermarket will help millions of busy shoppers to make healthier eating choices and could have a real impact on people's diets.

'We hope others will build on Tesco's initiative and commit to working with government to introduce consistent and easy-to-understand food labelling – including traffic light colours – across the country,' he added.

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