Food Promotions and Children's Diets - Consultation on Nutrient Profiling

The development of the proposed model follows a range of consultation activity undertaken by the Agency earlier this year. This work is described in detail in the attached consultation package.

Throughout the development of the model, work has been overseen by an expert working group, comprising independent nutritionists and dietitians, as well as representatives from industry and a consumer group. In addition, the Agency has sought the views of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) on the model, and has included SACN members on the expert working group.

The model has been tested throughout its development to ensure that it classifies foods in accordance with the views of nutrition and dietetic experts, and is consistent with healthy eating advice (including the Balance of Good Health, and consumer advice such as the Department of Health's 5-a-day guidance).

The proposed final model takes account of the energy, saturated fat, total sugar, and sodium content of the food, as well as the amount of protein, fibre and fruit and vegetables that it contains. The model therefore identifies foods high in fat, salt or sugar, while recognising the importance of cereal, meat and dairy based foods and fruit and vegetables to the diet. Full details of the model are attached below.

The model is a simple scoring system, in which points are allocated on the basis of the level of each nutrient (or food component) in 100g of the food. This enables food products to be classified on the basis of their overall points score. The Agency is proposing that the definition of high in saturated fat, salt or sugar should apply to foods scoring four points or more, and drinks scoring one point or more.

The expert working group felt that the model should also be used to identify foods that are healthier choices, and the positive promotion of these encouraged. The Agency is proposing a provisional definition of healthier choice as those foods scoring zero points or less.

The model takes account of many of the comments received during the earlier consultation exercise. As a result, the proposed model is significantly more straightforward for food companies, enforcement bodies and regulators to use in practice than earlier models. The model is based on the data that is currently provided in on-pack nutritional labelling, therefore obviating the need for extensive further analysis by manufacturers.

Also attached below is a table showing how the model scores a range of foods from the product categories most heavily advertised during children's TV programming (i.e., soft drinks, breakfast cereals, fast foods, confectionery and snacks). The table also shows how the model can be used to classify a wider range of foods in the diet. The table is based on data from McCance and Widdowson food composition tables. The foods shown in the table are therefore representative recipes, and the composition of individual branded foods may be different.

We are now inviting your views on the effectiveness of the proposed model. In particular, we are interested in your views on the following two points:

• Have the refinements introduced since the last consultation improved the technical and practical applicability of the model for use as a tool to help to improve the regulation of broadcast advertising, sponsorship and promotion of food and drink aimed at children?
• Have the refinements improved the classification of individual foods by the model - particularly those in respect of which concerns were raised in the earlier consultation?

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation, which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.

Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)

Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)

In accordance with the FSA principle of openness our Information Centre at Aviation House will hold a copy of the completed consultation. The FSA will publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name. Disclosure of any other personal data would be made only upon request for the full consultation responses. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.

Data protection form (Word)

Data protection form (pdf)

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator by email: consultationcoordinator@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk