The government is set to introduce a single and simple food labeling scheme this year to end the contradictory and confusing systems, announced health secretary Alan Johnson at the government’s anti-obesity drive on Wednesday, January 23.

Retailers have been at the forefront of offering healthier eating choices for years, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which welcomed the government’s plans for a co-ordinated obesity policy. The BRC said the example set by UK food retailers showed the market is already delivering on healthy eating without the need for regulation.

“This is about far more than just food labeling,” said Andrew Opie director of food policy for the BRC. “The government is right to recognise that food is only one element of the obesity equation and factors such as exercise and education are also important. Sensibly the government has accepted the market is delivering healthier choices for consumers.

“Retailers have been leading from the front on healthy eating for years. They have long been promoting fresh fruit and vegetables, developing healthier food products, improving nutritional labeling and supporting healthier eating campaigns.

“Retailers, knowing their customers and voluntarily offering them new and easier choices, are achieving more, more quickly, than bans, restrictions or lectures ever could.”

As part of the Anti-Obesity Strategy, the government will also introduce planning guidance, which will advise councils not to allow fast food outlets to be opened close to schools or parks. Johnson also announced that the review of the proposed ban on pre-watershed junk food advertising would be brought forward, with results expected in the summer.