The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has launched an investigation into the use of an 'omnilabel' on food, which details the environmental impact of products.
DEFRA's investigation is based on advice taken from The Environmental Audit Committee. The committee recommended that a sector-based universal labelling scheme should be explored, which ensured that "clarity and simplicity are not lost in a plethora of different single-issue labels and complex information". DEFRA has, therefore, put out to tender a study called Effective approaches to environmental labelling of food products.
It is looking for a partner to assess the feasibility of integrating various environmental impacts of food products into a single, easy to understand label. The work involved would entail weighing up the costs and benefits to industry and exports as well as assessing the label's effectiveness in influencing consumer food choice and behavioural change. DEFRA wants the study to take place over a six-month period and begin on January 2010.
The aim is to help "reduce the negative environmental impacts of the food system; to reduce the amount of food waste generated; and to increase the socio-economic benefits of food production and consumption"
It is unclear how the potential establishment of an 'omnilabel' would impact on the carbon label currently used on foods. A DEFRA spokesman said: "Consumers want to be able to make informed and reliable choices about the impact of the food they buy on the environment, including its carbon footprint. That's why we have commissioned research on labelling, which will help to inform future government policy on environmental labelling."