Italian farmers on Wednesday expressed satisfaction after ANSA sources said the European Commission has decided to open infraction proceedings against Britain for its food 'traffic light' system.
The system is designed to help consumers make healthy choices, by labelling food items red, green or red according to their fat, salt and sugar contents.
Italy is concerned about the repercussions this labelling system will have on its exports, such as its olive oils, salamis and cheeses.
Furthermore, Italian farmers say it would not even help people change their shopping habits in a positive way. "The aim of the traffic-light system is to reduce the consumption of fat, salt and sugar, but it's based only on the presence of certain substances, rather than on the actual quantities that are consumed," farmers association Coldiretti said in statement. "Paradoxically, this ends up excluding things like extra-virgin olive oil from diets, while promoting sugar-free fizzy drinks, misleading consumers about the real nutritional value (of the items)".
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