In Russia, they want to make mandatory "traffic light" labeling of products

The Public Council under Rospotrebnadzor proposes to make mandatory "traffic light" labeling of food products. This measure may apply to manufactured goods with the exception of mineral water and spices.

In red, it is planned to highlight an excess of SALT, fat and trans fats, and in green - their normal values. At the same time, it is proposed to place the marking not on the packaging, but on the price tags in both conventional and online stores. Rospotrebnadzor said that the Traffic Light project started in 2018, but the labeling of food products remains voluntary.

“That is, the manufacturer could bring to the seller information about the content of significant nutrients in his product, and the seller could already reach the consumer through his own resources. For example, through the website,” the department explained and added that the proposal would be discussed.

Dmitry Yanin, chairman of the board of the International Confederation of Consumer Societies, explained that amendments could be made to the rules for the sale of certain types of goods, enshrined in a government decree.

Yanin believes that in 2018 the food industry ignored the "Traffic Light". However, now the implementation will not require investments from manufacturers, since they will not have to change the packaging. 

However, Alexey Popovichev, executive DIRECTOR of Rusbrand, believes that “traffic light markings” can mislead customers. 

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“For example, a dairy shelf may be in the “red” zone due to the fact that many products on it are fatty: cream, some types of cottage cheese and sour cream. But this does not make the products harmful to the consumer,” the source added. According to the expert, it is more logical to form the right eating habits in children by teaching mothers.