The government should also implement mandatory “traffic light labeling” on product packaging and a ban on advertising for drinks containing high amounts of sugar.
According to Erwin Zangerl, sugary products should become expensive. Press / Clemens Fabry
Tyrol’s Chamber of Labor President Erwin Zangerl (ÖVP) calls on the government to take preventive measures in the fight against obesity, diabetes and other “diseases of civilization”. Specifically, Zangerl wants to see mandatory “traffic light labeling” on product packaging, a sugar tax and a ban on advertising for high-sugar drinks implemented, as he explained in a broadcast on Wednesday.
So far, the federal government has exercised “rather restraint” in this context, criticized Zangerl. “When, if not now, will the time have come to take countermeasures: for more information and more health awareness,” said Tyrol’s Chamber of Labor President. Around 30 percent of the Austrian population is overweight, around nine percent have diabetes, and young people are becoming more and more common. Studies show that many consumers misjudge foods and do not read or understand ingredients or nutritional tables. This is where we need to start.
For example, the previously voluntary “Nutri-Score” information on product packaging must be anchored in law. This “traffic light labeling” with a scale from A (dark green) to E (red) provides clear and easy-to-understand information about sugar, salt, fat, fiber and protein content and enables conscious purchasing decisions. The AK boss also wants to turn the steering wheel: sugar should be taxed more heavily. Zangerl was convinced that the “increase in the price of unhealthy products” not only had a positive effect on tax revenue, but also resulted in steering effects and more attention.
The President of the Chamber of Labor wants to legally ban the advertising of “highly sugary drinks”. He played on the one from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended daily tolerance amount of 25 grams. The sugar content of individual 0.3 or 0.5 liter drinks already exceeds this. In addition, there is a need for, among other things, more mandatory preventive education from elementary school onwards through “adapting the curricula.”
Zangerl also warned that the measures should not differentiate between industrial and other sugars. Instead, the focus should be on the “nutritionally relevant total amount”. All types of sugar and sweeteners would also have to be treated equally. Otherwise there is a risk that the recipes will be changed and the positive effect will be equalized. (APA)
