In Russia, they want to introduce mandatory labels on food and drinks with a sugar content of more than 5 g per 100 g of product. The marking will have to occupy at least 20% of the front side of the packaging of the goods, be made in a readable font. The Institute for the Development of a Legal Society sent such an initiative to the heads of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Izvestia has a copy of the document. The proposal has already been supported by the State Duma, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and “Business Russia”.
The “Traffic Light” voluntary system for labeling goods, which appeared in 2018, has not become widespread. It involves the application of color information on the packaging about the content of fat, trans fats, salt and sugar in the product – the largest amount is indicated in red, and a small amount in green. But since the system is not included in the requirements of technical regulations, it is almost never used, Darya Gladysh, director of the Institute for the Development of a Legal Society, told Izvestia.
However, many products contain too high amounts of sugar, including “hidden” sugar, which is found in ingredients that consumers do not understand. So, manufacturers often pass off objectively harmful goods as safe, believes Artem Kiryanov, first deputy chairman of the commission for the examination of socially significant bills and other legal initiatives of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
Excess sugar consumption can lead to cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, oncology, said Daria Gladysh.
Therefore, the Institute for the Development of a Legal Society sent a proposal to the heads of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Health to introduce mandatory labels on goods containing sugar and its varieties – if its quantity exceeds 5 g per 100 g of product. Izvestia has a copy of the document. The initiative was supported by the State Duma, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and Business Russia.
The marking must occupy at least 20% of the front side of the package, be visually expressed and executed in a readable font, the document says. Manufacturers will be able to use it or the Traffic Light system, clarified Daria Gladysh.
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