Coca-Cola to adopt traffic light health labels in UK

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Coca-Cola will adopt government recommendations and introduce traffic light nutrition labels on the front of its cans and bottles.

It had previously rejected the plans.

The colour-coded labels will show nutritional content in each container and percentage guidelines for daily consumption of fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar and calories.

Coca-Cola said that it had changed its stance after "having gauged British consumers' views on the scheme".

The voluntary traffic light labelling programme was introduced in July last year, with all major supermarkets agreeing to the plans.

Coca-Cola and Cadbury had publicly rejected the new system.

Jon Woods, general manager of Coca鈥慍ola UK & Ireland, said: "We have monitored the labelling scheme since it started to appear in-store and asked shoppers in Great Britain for their views.

"They told us they want a single, consistent labelling scheme across all food and drink products to help them make the right choices for them and their families.

"That is why we have decided to adopt it across our full range of brands."

'Clear information'

The UK government has welcomed the news.

Jane Ellison, parliamentary under-secretary of state for Public Health, said: "I am delighted that Coca鈥慍ola Great Britain has adopted this government's voluntary front of pack labelling scheme.

"It will help consumers make informed choices and lead a healthier lifestyle.

"We want all businesses to give people clear and consistent information about their food and drink."

Coca Cola UK has 23 brands in Great Britain including, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes and Dr Pepper. The company says all its major brands have a low or no calorie option and Diet Coke and Coca鈥慍ola Zero make up more than 40% of its UK sales.

The colour coded labels will appear on packs in-store within the first half of next year.