The City of Melbourne and Nutrition Australia have been working with participating food outlets in the QV Urban Market to help improve the nutritional quality of their menus and enable consumers to make better food choices.

This initiative has included the introduction of a traffic light colour coded system to help consumers quickly and easily recognise what menu items have maximum, average, or poor nutritional value.

Green Light, Eat Right  is the first pilot program of its kind in Australia, and introduces the traffic light colour coding system into the public food domain. The City of Melbourne’s long-term goal is that program be introduced into every food outlet in the Melbourne CBD, and then into the wider Melbourne community. 

Helping you to make better food choices

To help you make healthier choices, Green Light, Eat Right classifies foods according to their nutritional value:

Red – A less healthy choice

Red foods are generally the least suitable option as they: :

• Are very low in nutritional value
• Are high in saturated fat and/or sugar and/or salt
• Provide excess kilojoules

Essentially, consumption of these foods should be restricted.

Amber – An ok choice

Amber foods should be selected carefully because they:

• Contain moderate amounts of added fat and/or sugar and/or salt
• Contribute to excess kilojoules if consumed in large serving sizes
• Provide limited nutritional value

The foods in this category are mainly processed foods and should be consumed in moderation.

Green – The healthiest choice

Green foods are the healthiest choice for everyday consumption because they:

• Are often high in nutrients and fibre
• Are low in saturated fat and/or sugar and/or salt
• Help to avoid an excess kilojoule intake

The majority of your daily food intake should comprise these foods.

Participating food outlets

Eight food outlets in the QV Urban Market are participating in the Green Light, Eat Right pilot program.

• Kamil’s Kebabs
• Oishi Sushi
• Tasty Thai
• Boxunch
• Expresso Bagels
• RJs Sandwich Works
• Zest Wraps
• Burgers Edge

Participating food outlets have been through Nutrition Australia's rigorous accreditation system, which has involved analysis of every menu item, and making changes accordingly to improve the healthiness of their menus. Such changes have included altering the types of cooking oils used, swapping full-fat dairy products for low-fat products, using more lean meats and introducing more fresh fruits and vegetables.

The accreditation level achieved by the food outlet (Gold, Silver or Bronze) should be clearly visible at each outlet. If this information is not on disply - simply ask!

Contact us

If you are a food retailer and would like to know more about the program or how you can be involved, please call the City of Melbourne on 9658 9658

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/Health/Pages/EatRight.aspx