Disappointment over 'traffic light' labelling of food: AMA (WA)

The Australian Medical Association (WA) today expressed its enormous disappointment in the decision by State and Federal Governments to reject mandatory 'traffic light' labelling of food.

AMA (WA) President Associate Professor David Mountain slammed the lack of leadership by State Governments on the labelling proposal, which had been strongly supported by the AMA and many other well informed medical authorities.

State Government’s had had the opportunity to take a strong leadership position on this matter, but had once again failed, he said.

“The time has come – in fact, is well past its used by date – for some stronger leadership on this matter. This is a bad day for the health of all Australians. It is one thing for the Federal Government to dance to the tune of the food industry, but for State Government’s to do the same is incredibly disappointing,” A/Prof Mountain said.

“I now call on all state governments to act for the good of all Australians, show some cohunes, and accept this common sense approach to providing easy to read information to Australian consumers,”  A/Prof Mountain said.

“A 'traffic light' system of labelling would have allowed Australians to compare information about food and drink quickly and easily in a uniform matter,” he said.

“Poor food choices contribute heavily to the high levels of chronic diseases and the rising rates of obesity in Australia, especially in our young people.”

“The AMA will continue to argue for the approach that best serves the health of Australians and not the interests of the food industry and do nothing bureaucratic fat cats,” A/Prof Mountain said.