Overview
- Published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe on November 4, the study models outcomes for England from 2024 to 2043.
- The analysis estimates that mandating front-of-pack nutrient warning labels would cut obesity prevalence by 4.44 percentage points and avert about 110,000 deaths.
- Making traffic-light labels compulsory is projected to reduce obesity prevalence by 2.34 percentage points and prevent or postpone roughly 57,000 deaths.
- Researchers and public health academics urge the government to consider mandatory nutrient warnings, citing clearer, faster-to-interpret information and potential product reformulation.
- Current UK rules make front-of-pack labelling voluntary; the Department of Health says a modernised nutrient scoring system is being introduced as retailers highlight widespread use of traffic-light labels on own brands.