Food labelling can be a powerful tool to drive food system change

We believe that the greatest driver of change is a well informed consumer. People want to do the right thing and minimise impact but they are bombarded with information that is confusing at best and deliberately misleading in many cases.

A clear, honest and thorough labelling system is needed to cut though the noise, the agendas and the marketing hype to give the consumer a real informed choice.

When food labelling is designed to truly institute greater transparency and accountability in food production, it can be a powerful tool to drive food system change. 

 Food labelling regulatory reform is needed to address the public and institutional interests to make information relating to food safety and standards and food system sustainability available to everyone. It is also an important policy tool to drive societal shifts to deliver the UK’s long-term net-zero commitments.

We need food labels that enable:

Supply chain transparency, traceability and cooperation across the whole food system

Consumers and businesses to make informed purchasing decisions

Why it matters to:

  • will have clear and fact-based information to make informed decisions at all points of purchasing and at all price points

  • will have the means to distinguish themselves from other farmers and producers with different standards of production, including competitors from abroad

  • particularly small-size businesses, will be released from the technical challenges and financial burden to produce their own standards of labelling that are trusted by all stakeholders

  • will have an effective tool to support the nations’ food-related environmental and social policies and targets

  • access the farming and manufacturing data to make sustainable investing decisions

  • access the farming and manufacturing data to develop multifarious food system analyses and engage with businesses, investors, and the government to drive positive change

Farmers and producers to be supported inn transitioning into and carrying on playing a part in sustainable and regenerative food production.


There are great opportunities for food labels to empower all food system stakeholders to accelerate the transition to sustainable food production for the U.K.