Traffic Light Criteria
The WA Health Traffic Light System
Healthy choices WA: Food and Nutrition Policy for WA Health Services uses a ‘traffic light’ colour system of food categorisation to identify and promote foods and drinks supplied to WA Health staff, visitors and the general public through food outlets, vending machines, catered events and fundraising activities at WA Health facilities.
Food categories
Under the traffic light system, food and drink sold within WA Health services will be classified into categories based on their nutritional value, energy density and levels of saturated fat, added sugar, salt and fibre.
| Green Foods and Drinks | |
Foods and drinks classified as Green are the healthiest choices. They are excellent sources of important nutrients needed for health and wellbeing, and low in saturated fat, added sugar and salt, and are lower in energy density. Can be eaten every day or at every meal. Examples include: Plain or whole grain breads and cereals, vegetables and salads, fruit, low fat milks and dairy products, lean meats, fish and poultry, eggs, and nuts and legumes. |
Fill the menu - at least 50% of all items displayed and offered |
Should be:
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| Amber Foods and Drinks | |
Foods and drinks classified as Amber are mainly processed foods. They have some nutritional value but contain moderate levels of saturated fat, added sugar and/or salt and can, in large serve sizes, contribute to excess energy intake. Should be carefully selected and eaten in moderation. Examples include: Full fat milk and dairy products, some breakfast and cereal bars, some un-iced, plain, lower fat cakes and muffins, some processed meats (e.g. ham, pastrami), poly- or mono-unsaturated spreads, breakfast cereals with no added sugar or fat. |
Choose carefully - approximately 30% of all items displayed or offered |
Should:
All labels need to be checked against the Red-Amber nutrient criteria |
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| Red Foods and Drinks | |
Foods and drinks classified as Red are energy dense and nutrient poor foods and drinks that are high in saturated fat, sugar and/or salt. They can contribute to excess energy intake if consumed in large amounts or on a frequent basis. Red foods also include deep fried foods, confectionary and chocolate (energy size limit), crisps, corn chips and similar salty snacks (energy size limit), sugar sweetened soft drinks, energy and sports drinks (energy size limit). Should only be eaten occasionally. Examples include: Fried foods, savoury commercial products such as pies and sausage rolls, snack bars, sweet biscuits, cakes and sweet pastries, small size confectionary and packets of crisps, some sweetened drinks and processed meats such as salamis. |
Limit / remove - no more than 20% of all items displayed or offered |
Should:
All labels need to be checked against the Red-Amber nutrient criteria. |
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Background to the approach
The ‘traffic light’ system has been adopted by a number of other government agencies, including the Western Australian Department of Education and Training’s school canteen policy, the Queensland school canteen strategy and Queensland Health food policy, and the NSW school canteen policy and NSW Department of Health food policy.
The nutrient criteria to distinguish between categories for the WA Health policy were based on the Fresh Tastes @ School NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy: Canteen Menu Planning Guide (the first policy developed in Australia), A Better Choice – Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Health Facilities and the FOCiS (Federation of Canteens in Schools) National Criteria for Product Registration for school canteens, amended to meet Western Australian requirements.