C/M/270. Does food packaging and labelling aimed at children encourage healthy eating?

Food packaging and labelling can play an important role in promoting healthy eating habits among adults and children. Food companies realising that more and more people are becoming health-conscious introduce healthier options in their offering thus capitalising on the trend. They can also contribute to the well-being of their nations by promoting better, more balanced diets. This is particularly important for children as, according to a research, eating habits are formed in the childhood and then carried through to the adult life. The essay looks at problems associated with excessive consumption of high-calorie, high-fat, sugary food and calls on food producers to be responsible corporate citizens by producing and advertising healthier products. The role of packaging and labelling in communicating the healthy life style is then examined followed by the consideration of measures that companies could undertake in order to both improve their margins and contribute to alleviating the obesity problem.