Traffic light system
This resource is intended for anyone applying the Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices framework in community settings. This includes food service staff, retailers, caterers, or health professionals.
The ‘traffic light’ system is to be used behind the scenes to support menu planning. It is not recommended to display the ‘traffic light’ system, label foods and drinks as GREEN, AMBER or RED or use for educational purposes, particularly in settings with children.
Victorian Government's Healthy Choices
The Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices framework uses a ‘traffic light’ system approach to categorise foods and drinks into three groups:
- GREEN (best choices)
- AMBER (choose carefully)
- RED (limit)
There are Healthy choices guidelines to use across different settings:
- hospitals and health services
- sport and recreation centres
- workplaces (including catering)
- parks
There is also a Healthy choices policy directive for health services that applies to in-house retail outlets, vending machines and catering.
It is recommended not to display traffic light labelling against foods and drinks.
The following provide an overview of the ‘traffic light’ system categories.
For a full list of common foods and drinks and the category they are classified into, refer to the Healthy choices: food and drink classification guide.
You can also use FoodChecker to classify foods and drinks.
FoodChecker is a free online tool you can use to search and assess food and drink products.
Use FoodChecker to:
- Classify food and drink items.
- Search for product classifications.
- Assess and classify your recipe.
- Receive feedback on your recipes to receive a healthier classification.
GREEN (Best choices)
Foods and drinks in the GREEN category are the healthiest choices.
They are based on the five food groups in the Australian Dietary Guidelines:
- grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties
- vegetables and legumes/beans
- fruit
- milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or their alternatives, mostly reduced-fat
- lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds and legumes/beans
These foods are usually:
- good sources of important nutrients
- lower in saturated fat, added sugar and/or salt
- lower in energy (kilojoules)
- higher in fibre
Water is also an important part of the GREEN category and should always be readily available.
Offering GREEN foods and drinks in appropriate serve sizes is consistent with the recommendations in the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
Use the Healthy choices: food and drink classification guide to help you identify GREEN choices.
Wherever foods and drinks are offered, at least 50% of choices should be from the GREEN category.
Guidelines for the GREEN category
Availability
- Ensure these foods and drinks are always available.
- Offer a wide variety of these items.
- Ensure these ingredients make up the majority of meals, snacks and drinks.
- Include these items across all menus and product categories.
- Make these items available for as much of the day as possible, including after hours and on public holidays.
Promotion
- Actively promote and encourage foods and drinks in this category.
- Promote these items in all situations where foods and drinks are offered.
- Ensure these items are attractively presented and competitively priced.
- Include these items in special offers such as meal deals, combos and loyalty cards.
Display
- Display these foods and drinks in prominent areas.
- Place these items at eye level on shelves, in fridges and in vending machines.
- Display these items at the front of cabinets and bain maries.
- Place these items in high traffic areas.
AMBER (Choose carefully)
Foods and drinks in the AMBER category should be selected carefully and consumed in moderation.
Although AMBER items may provide some valuable nutrients they can:
- contribute to excess energy (kilojoule) intake
- contain moderate amounts of saturated fat, added sugar and/or salt
AMBER options can be healthier varieties of options that are usually in the RED category. For example,
- sugar-sweetened soft drinks are RED
- diet soft drinks contain less energy (kilojoules) and are AMBER
Healthier choices in the AMBER category include less saturated fat, added sugar and/or salt or more fibre.
Adding GREEN ingredients to AMBER foods and drinks is a good way to make AMBER items healthier.
Use the Healthy choices: food and drink classification guide to help you identify healthier AMBER choices.
Guidelines for the AMBER category
Availability
- Reduce the amount and variety of these foods and drinks offered.
- Provide these items in smaller serve sizes.
- These items should not dominate the choices available.
Promotion
Do not promote AMBER foods and drinks at the expense of GREEN choices. This includes:
- promotion or advertising on counters, cabinets, fridges, vending machines, menu boards, staff notice boards, in lifts and via promotional stands and product displays.
Display
Avoid promoting AMBER foods and drinks over GREEN options. This includes:
- product placement in cabinets, shelves, fridges, refrigerated cabinets, bain maries and vending machines.
- product placement in high-traffic areas such as reception desks, counters in waiting areas, entrances and exits of food outlets, beside cash registers and in dining areas.
RED (Limit)
Foods and drinks in the RED category are not essential in a balanced diet.
They are based on ‘discretionary choices’ in the Australian Dietary Guidelines. These items can contribute to excess energy intake and developing chronic diseases if consumed in large amounts.
In general RED choices are:
- high in energy (kilojoules)
- high in saturated fat, added sugar and/or salt
- lacking in important nutrients such as fibre
Sugar-sweetened drinks, deep-fried foods and confectionery are examples of RED choices.
Alcohol is also included in the RED category. For information about the responsible service of alcohol, visit the Victorian Government’s Responsible Service of Alcohol webpage.
Use the Healthy choices: food and drink classification guide to help you identify RED choices.
Setting-specific guidance
- In retail outlets and vending machines, no more than 20% of foods can be RED.
- In retail outlets and vending machines, no RED drinks can be available or promoted.
- In workplace catering, no RED foods and drinks should be provided.
Refer to the setting-specific Healthy Choices policy documents for more information.
Guidelines for the RED category
Availability
Limit availability of these foods and drinks. This includes limiting:
- the range of these items offered.
- the supply of these items in all situations.
If RED choices are provided, offer the smallest portion available. Jumbo sizes of these foods and drinks should be avoided.
Promotion
Avoid promoting or encouraging these foods and drinks. This includes:
- promotional materials on counters, cabinets, fridges, vending machines, menu boards, staff notice boards, in lifts and via promotional stands and product displays.
- meal or point of sale promotions which include meal deals, two for one deals, upsizing and supersizing.
Display
Limit the display of these foods and drinks. They should not be displayed in excessive quantities or in prominent areas including:
- at eye level in cabinets, fridges, refrigerated cabinets, bain maries, vending machines or on shelves.
- on reception desks or counters in waiting areas, at entrances and exits of food outlets, next to cash registers and in dining areas.
For more information please phone 1300 22 52 88 or email heas@nnf.org.au
Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this document show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. This document may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. Copyright © State of Victoria 2016
Written and reviewed by dietitians and nutritionists at National Nutrition Foundation, with support from the Victorian Government.
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The Healthy Eating Advisory Service is delivered by experienced nutritionists and dietitians at National Nutrition Foundation, with support from the Victorian Government.
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