IBEC - Newsroom

Food and Drink Industry Ireland today announced a major information campaign that will take place in 20 Superquinn stores across the country this weekend (15 – 17 January 2009). This in-store event is aimed at boosting consumer awareness and understanding of the Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) food labelling system.

GDA labels are a guide to how much energy (calories) and key nutrients (sugars, fat, saturates and salt) the average healthy person needs to have a balanced diet. Their on-pack presence has achieved significant critical mass in the Irish market over the last 12 months, with more than half of all branded packaged food and drink products and almost all participating supermarket own-label branded products now displaying the system front of pack.

According to Dr Evelyn Hannon, Superquinn’s Nutritionist: “Superquinn supports the GDA labelling system and it is now available on the majority of our own-brand Superquinn products. We know many our shoppers are keenly aware of the need for a balanced diet for good health and well-being. The increased use of GDA labelling will provide invaluable information to consumers in relation to the key nutrients that the average person needs in order to have a balanced diet. GDAs are based on sound science, are easy to use, and are a practical and simple way for consumers to choose healthier products. We look forward to welcoming the GDA promotional campaign into our stores this weekend and hope that our shoppers will benefit from the information.”

Paul Kelly, Director of Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII), whose member companies have funded the campaign, said: “The investment made by our member companies in putting GDA labels on pack and in helping consumers to understand how to use them has been significant. We have given consumers the information to make better food choices through the new product labels. The campaign will help people use this information to the best possible effect. Small steps can lead to big changes in lifestyles. GDAs make it easier for people to select and enjoy a mix of foods suited to their individual needs.”