Benefits of Nutrition Information on Food Labels

Nutrition and Health

Nutrients are vital to human for growth and maintenance of good health. Nutrition-related diseases such as cancers, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases are important public health problems.

The World Health Organisation reported that dietary factors accounted for approximately 30% of cancers in industrialized countries. Diet related risk factors such as poor nutrition, obesity and high blood pressure were important for cardiovascular diseases.

In Hong Kong, the situation can be reflected by the following figures :

• Cancers and cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of deaths which accounted for 1/3 and 1/7 of all deaths respectively.
  
• Obesity is associated with diabetes mellitus. About 30% and 7% of the local population are overweight and obese respectively; whereas 1 in 10 people in Hong Kong have diabetes.
  
• Osteoporosis predisposes people to fracture, which can lead to fatal outcome in the elderly. Over 45% of elderly women in Hong Kong have osteoporosis.
  
• Up to 10 % of the local adult population has hypertension.

Benefits of Labelling Scheme on Nutrition Information

Nutrition information on food labels is an important public health tool to promote a balanced diet, hence enhancing public health. This information assists consumers to better understand the nutritional value of food. It enables consumers to compare the nutritional values of similar food products and then make healthy food choices based on the relevant nutrition information. For those who are on special diets (e.g. people suffering from diabetes or high blood lipid), nutrition information on food labels enables them to select suitable food and help manage their conditions.

Overseas experiences have shown that nutrition labelling can have positive impact on food consumption pattern, save healthcare costs and human lives. For example:-

• U.S. - the cost-benefit study commissioned by the Food and Drugs Agency estimated that the saving in health care cost associated with the reduction in risk of cancer and coronary heart disease ranged from US$ 4400 million to 26000 million;
  
• In Canada - the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Health Canada calculated that the reductions in the direct and indirect costs related to the reduced risks of cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke would be about CAD 5 billion over 20 years;
  
• In Australia and New Zealand - the health care cost associated with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity and type 2 diabetes ranges between 32 million and 42 million each year. It is also estimated that 320 to 460 lives could be saved each year with the introduction of mandatory nutrition labelling.

From the food manufacturers' point of view, requirements for nutrition information on food labels would encourage them to improve the nutrient profile of their products. The trade can capitalize these requirements by formulating relevant marketing strategies to attract potential consumers. This results in a win-win situation benefiting both the consumers and manufacturers.