Informed Choice
Guideline Daily Amount Labelling
In January 2007, we began to introduce Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) labelling on the front of our packaging. This means that the calorie, sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt content per serving will now be clearly shown on all our products (we also include an illustration of a 250ml serving on our bigger bottles). In addition, the labels show the percentage of total daily recommended consumption that each serving represents. This labelling will be on all our brands by the end of 2007 and we hope it will help consumers to make choices according to their needs.
Like other companies in the Union of European Beverage Associations (UNESDA), we’ve taken action on labelling voluntarily. This has been particularly important in Great Britain because the Food Standards Agency has indicated that its own traffic light labelling system is not designed for use on drinks.
However, as our stakeholder research shows, it’s not enough just to change our labelling. If people are to get the full benefit of the new labelling, they need to know it’s there and understand how to use it.
That’s why we’ve created our new ‘Your Health’ website to help consumers to understand about nutritional labelling. By going to the site, consumers can compare the nutritional value of different products and find detailed information about the ingredients we use.
For more information, see www.coca-cola.co.uk/yourhealth
We’ve also invested in a campaign with our partners in the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) to publicise the new GDA labelling. The ‘What’s Inside’ campaign directs consumers to a website where they can find out about nutritional labelling.
For more information, see www.whatsinsideguide.com
The GDA approach is unambiguous, easy to understand and is a scheme which really empowers consumers and helps them balance their diets.” Fiona Hunter Bsc (Hons) Nutrition, Dip Dietetics
Independent Nutritionist
