Jamie Oliver gives thumbs up to Labour sugar policy

Oliver has recently campaigned for teaspoon-style labelling of added sugar content in fizzy drinks. Photo / Getty

British chef Jamie Oliver has given the thumbs up to Labour's new policy for clear labelling of the amount of sugar in processed food on his Facebook page.

The chef posted a link to the Herald's story on the policy on Facebook and Oliver wrote: "Go Go New Zealand, this would be great for public health if it happened. Clarity and honesty, that's the way forward."

Oliver has recently campaigned for teaspoon-style labelling of added sugar content in fizzy drinks and urged governments to introduce sugar taxes to try to reduce obesity. His programme 'Sugar Rush' looked at the effects of sugar on health.

Labour's health spokeswoman Annette King mentioned Oliver in her speech announcing the policy to require clear labelling stating the number of teaspoons of sugar in a product.

"I agree with Jamie Oliver that members of the public would be more conscious about what they were eating if they knew the number of teaspoons of sugar or salt that is in their food."

The new policy will also food manufacturers a timeframe within which to voluntarily reduce the sugar in processed food before the Government legislated to require them to.

However, Mrs King said she expected 'treat food' such as lollies, chocolate and ice cream to be exempt. Labour is yet to work out the details of the policy, including the extent of reduction they would require and the timeframe.