Does front-of-pack labelling actually work?
How much does front-of-pack information affect the food choices we make?
When we shop, many of us have our health in mind, but it can be a challenge to work out which products are genuinely good for us.
Nutritional labelling is supposed to help us along the way, but how effective is it?
Since the introduction of the traffic light system in the UK, obesity numbers have actually risen.
Health claims are made, but do not often give us the full picture, so how do we make food labelling more transparent?
And underlying all of this is the big question: Does any of the information on food packaging actually make a difference to our diets and our health?
Zoe Davies, Nutritionist, Consensus Action on Salt, Sugar and Health
Zoe oversees Consensus Action on Salt, Sugar and Health‘s work on early years nutrition, focussing on the commercial baby and toddler food and drink industry.
Zoe studied Nutrition, Health and Lifestyles at Sheffield Hallam University and since then worked in health promotion with those with type 2 diabetes, weight management and facilitated type 2 diabetes prevention groups with the National Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Jo Tucker, Senior Lecturer, University of West London
Jo took an HND in hotel and catering management at Birmingham College of Food. She worked for several years running events at venues such as Edgbaston and Lords Cricket ground, Lingfield racecourse and the City of London Livery Halls.
She continued her education and converted her HND into a 1st-class honours degree in Hospitality Management from the University of West London.
Whilst taking some time out to raise her three children, Jo took on part time teaching and studied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
Her interests have evolved, and she completed a MSc in Human Nutrition from Oxford Brookes and in 2022 successfully submitted her PhD on the effects of an experimental food label and its influence on adolescent food choices.
Currently, Jo teaches fitness classes and specialises in strength and Pilates, reviews Journal articles and guest lectures for a number of universities.
