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The scheme is
part of a larger initiative by the privately held U.S. food
company to encourage healthier eating at a time when large food
multinationals, or Big Food, are coming under increasing
pressure from public health advocates and regulators struggling
to fight a growing obesity epidemic.
The plan, however, does not extend to Mars' chocolate or sweets
businesses, whose brands include M&M's, Snickers and Starburst.
Products that are particularly high in salt, sugar or fat,
including Dolmio lasagne meal kits and lasagne sauces, will come
with a label advising "occasional" consumption, meaning once a
week. However, the company said most of its products in the UK
would still be for consumption everyday. It did not give details
for other countries but plans to introduce the labeling in all
markets where those products are sold.
Nearly all packaged food makers are reformulating products as
they try to keep up with changing tastes of increasingly
health-conscious consumers.
Mars Food, which also produces Uncle Ben's rice, said it plans
to post on its website within the next few months a list of
"occasional" products, and "everyday" products, including ones
to be reformulated over the next five years to reduce sodium,
sugar or fat.
It has also set targets to reduce sodium and sugar in some
products and boost the use of whole grains and vegetables.
Some countries including Britain, France and Mexico have
announced levies on sugar-sweetened drinks, while others are
considering them.
(Reporting by Martinne Geller in London; Editing by Susan
Fenton)
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