Tesco and Morrisons are bucking the trend with their decision to boycott the Food Standards Agency’s traffic light food-labelling.

While Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose have all signed up to use the FSA’s colour-coded packaging, Tesco announced it would stick to its current GDA (guideline daily amounts) system which gives percentage figures of the recommended daily intake of fat, salt and sugar and Morrisons is said to be reviewing its labelling.

The FSA said its recommendations for the voluntary system came after consumer feedback showed significant support for the three-colour indicators.

Deidre Hutton, chairwoman of the FSA said: "The evidence of buying patterns is that people are looking for healthier foods and they have told us that traffic light colours are key to helping them understand and use front of pack food labels."

Sainsbury’s and Waitrose bosses were equally quick to show their commitment to the code.

Justin King, Sainsbury's chief executive described the traffic light labelling as the "simplest and clearest way of giving customers the information they are looking for," while Waitrose marketing director, Christian Cull said a "consistent approach" best allowed consumers to make informed decisions about what to eat.

The FSA can only recommend a voluntary code for retailers and manufacturers, while legislation must be issued by the EU.

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