Heart Foundation Conducts Study Into Private Label Food Products
The Heart Foundation's sole concern is the health of Australians. In tough economic times we all look to make savings. Recent surveys indicate that people are switching to supermarket brands so we want supermarkets to make sure that healthier foods don’t have to be more expensive foods.
04/17/09 We recently conducted a study investigating the nutritional profile of private labels versus branded label food products.
The study compared the nutritional profile of private label products with branded products, analysing almost 5,000 packaged food products across 28 food categories sold in Australian supermarkets. These included foods Australians buy most frequently.
The full details won’t be available till later this year, but in brief, we found:
* The results found private label products, in general, contained significantly more energy, sodium, saturated and trans fats than branded products on a per 100g basis;
* Despite the smaller serve sizes, the saturated fat content per serve for private label products was still significantly higher than for branded products;
* Significant differences between private label products and branded products occurred across the majority of food categories.
The Heart Foundation's sole concern is the health of Australians. In tough economic times we all look to make savings. Recent surveys indicate that people are switching to supermarket brands so we want supermarkets to make sure that healthier foods don’t have to be more expensive foods.
In the meantime, we encourage you to compare products you buy by checking the nutrition information panels on pack. Alternatively, look for foods with the Heart Foundation Tick. These foods have been independently tested to meet strict nutrition standards for things like saturated and trans fat, salt, kilojoules and fibre.
Our Position on Front of Pack Labelling
* The Heart Foundation is supportive of any initiative that genuinely guides people to healthier food and drink choices.
- Labelling schemes must help Australians make healthier food and drink choices, not further confuse people or short-change them on important nutritional messages.
- The best labeling scheme for Australians is not one that they prefer but one that drives them to make healthier choices.
* Any labelling scheme must result in real changes to the foods we eat to have maximum effect.
- Food labelling schemes should not take the pressure off food companies to improve our food supply. An incentive is required for food companies to make healthier foods.
* Labelling has an important role to play, but in isolation it will achieve very little.
- Government, the food industry and other bodies must work together to develop solutions to the obesity crisis.
- Food labelling, nutrition education strategies and food changes must be complementary for the greatest impact.
