Leading bakery Graham's is one of nine Northern Ireland companies who together account for almost half of the 19 food manufacturers UK-wide to have adopted so-called 'traffic-light' labelling.

The high-profile Dromore bakery has included traffic-light labels on its new 'Indulge In Graham's' range.

Delivered at the recent IFEX food and drink exhibition at Belfast's King's Hall, FSA Northern Ireland's message to consumers on traffic-light labelling - its recommended approach to front-of-pack nutritional advice - is "some red, a little amber and a lot green".

Graham's have pinned their colours to the mast even though they will be mostly red and amber, pointing out that a red light doesn't signal that consumers should pull up short of eating such products altogether.

Sales and marketing manager Alistair Toal said it was all about informed choice and striking a balance.

"Even though our labelling will be mostly red and amber," he said, "we believe the customer already knows this.

"We ask our customers to enjoy our products as part of a balanced diet and the traffic-light system is the easiest way for the customer to make an informed choice.

"Red does not mean do not eat the product, simply eat it as part of a balanced diet, as a treat."

According to FSA NI director Morris McAllister the number of Northern Ireland food manufacturers adopting the labelling scheme is growing rapidly."The food industry is big business in Northern Ireland," he said, "as the largest element of private sector employment.

"The fact that nearly 50% of traffic light labelling adopters are local companies, of varying sizes, is a real testament to how forward-thinking the industry is here.

"Consumers determine a company's profit margins and more and more consumers are telling the FSA that they want to see a clear approach to food labelling and we firmly believe that traffic lights are the clear and simple solution."