EU Health Chief Looks To Provide Nutrition Information On Front Of Packages

EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou is calling for a change in food packaging in an effort to try and curb obesity across Europe.

He wants nutrition information be printed on the front of food boxes and packaging so European consumers can quickly and easily find information on how much sugar, fat, calories and salt the product contains. Mr. Kyprianou has said in the past that obesity is the “greatest threats” to the country.

“General labeling … and nutrition labeling is an established way for providing information to consumers to support health conscious food choices,” reads the plan’s latest draft.

“Labeling can be strengthened as a means to support a consumers’ ability to choose a balanced diet,” it says.

According to the World Health Organization, obesity has more than tripled in most EU countries since the 1980s with the number of obese or overweight children rising from 14 million in 2005 to 22 million in 2007.

Of course his plan is being met with resistance from food companies that aren’t happy with the idea that they’ll have to display these nutrition details on the front of their attractive packaging.

What are your thoughts on putting nutrition values on the front of the foods you eat? Do you think it would help you make better easting decisions?