How Useful is Traffic Light Labeling in Restaurants?
Would you like a little help in making healthy meal choices at the restaurant? Many people find eating out particularly challenging, but what can we do to make the choice simpler?
Yo! Sushi restaurants
Yo! Sushi restaurants are now using the Food Standard Agency’s traffic light scheme, as a means to help consumers make healthy food choices at a glance.
They’ve produced their own nutrition booklet, displaying the nutrient content in their meals, and showing a quick indication of how healthy meals are by using the traffic light colours.
Their booklet also provides information on food intolerance or allergy, for example indicating gluten, or soy free dishes.
The Food Standards Agency would like to see a similar scheme in other restaurants, as a way to help customers make more informed choices about healthy food when dining out.
Controversial system?
Traffic light labeling has however been a controversial issue since it’s introduction. This is partly because:
- The nutrient profiling system has been criticised as being “unscientific.”
- Some people also believe the system is too judgmental - for example, a high fat product could be flagged as “red,” but the food could also be a very good source of calcium.
What do the traffic light colours mean?
#RED The food is high in something customers should be trying to reduce, for example fat, salt, or sugar. These foods should only be consumed occasionally, in smaller amounts, or as a treat.
#AMBER The food isn’t high or low in the nutrient, and is an ‘OK’ choice most of the time.
#GREEN The food is low in that specific nutrient, therefore the more green lights, the healthier the choice.
For more information check out my previous article, Colour Coding - Are You Waiting for Green?
What are your thoughts?
Would you find it beneficial to have a similar traffic light system in your favourite restaurants? Is the system too confusing?
Or, do you prefer to simply enjoy what you eat, rather than being overly concerned about the contents of your meal?
I’d love to know you’re thoughts!
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Apr 4, 2008
I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts.
Tina Russell
Apr 4, 2008
I’m on the fence about this since it was first being spoken about. On the one hand, I don’t think that consumers really pay attention to that stuff - maybe in a restaurant where there is some delay in getting your meal, but if you have already paid for something - before seeing the traffic light - we are all more likely to eat it. I also believe cold hard numbers are better. Cutesy systems probably won’t work as well.
Apr 4, 2008
Hi Tanya,
Yeah, I think you make a very valid point. Do you think it may have something to do with whether you use the left or right side of your brain more?
For me the colours appeal, but I’m supposed to be more right sided. I think using numbers and colours together is a good option.
But, definitely difficult to grab consumers attention with any system.
Apr 5, 2008
If the customer is not interested in the information, then the customer won’t pay attention. Sometimes, when I eat out for a treat, I just eat something delicious, not worrying whether it is part of my balanced diet. But a lot of times, like when I have to make an “emergency” lunch stop, I am really glad to know whether that salad is really a better choice than one of the sandwiches.
It is my choice, after all. Chains will voluntarily provide information if they think they have something to gain by it. Or if regulations force them to do it.
This has been debated in the US for some time, but the restaurants are against it. They’d have to rethink all their packaging, which would cost them money, and then customers might not buy the fries to go with that shake.
Apr 5, 2008
I think some people who pay attention to what they eat, and the nutritional facts about the food will benefit from this. However, I don’t think it would have much effect on the diets people have in restaurants. A lot of people don’t pay much attention to things like this anyway, and like family nutritionist said, most restaurant don’t really gain a whole lot from this, because it may turn people off to many of the items on the menu.
Apr 6, 2008
I think it would possibly only be of value to those individuals who eat out for lunch every day. Personally, if I go out for a meal I don’t think I would really want to be thinking too much about the content. I just want to enjoy my food and eat what seems appealing on the menu.
Apr 8, 2008
Family Nutritionist, Tom & Ruth,
Thank you all for commenting.
I agree with FN and Ruth when you say you sometimes don’t want to think about the nutritional content, but would rather enjoy your food. I’m with you on that!
On the other hand I do think restaurants need to be more accountable for what they are putting into our food. If they were forced to display the nutritional content, don’t you feel they would rethink, and perhaps be more diligent in making food healthier?
I know they don’t have much to gain as FN & Tom said, but consumers have a lot to lose if they don’t face up to what they’re eating, particularly if they eat out on a daily basis.
It’s definitely a challenge, and getting consumers to care, even just a little, is another difficultly I don’t think we can solve overnight!
Apr 11, 2008
Hi Tina,
Sorry for the delay in reply, your comment went into spam for some reason. I’m glad you visited!