Carbohydrate & Atkins Diet

UK giant Tesco is to label its food products with a carbohydrate index in response to Atkins Diet.

British consumer giant Tesco is to label its food products with a carbohydrate index in response to the Atkins Diet.

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The country's biggest grocer will spend millions to help those trying to limit their carb intake, as promoted by Dr Atkins. Labels on its own-brand foods will show the glycemic index, which reveals carbohydrate levels, according to The Mirror.

Tesco is to push it as a benefit to people who need to monitor sugar intake such as diabetics and athletes, rather than as part of a low carb craze. To do so the supermarket hopes to use diabetic rower Sir Steve Redgrave to front its promotional drive.

Trade journal Marketing, which revealed the move, said labelling would be on shelves by summer. But Tesco insisted there were no immediate plans.

It said: "We have a proven track record of innovation, we were the first to introduce a "free from" range for those with food tolerances for instance. We've no firm plans but never say never."

Meanwhile, a new Which? report warned that confusing food labelling meant shoppers would not be able to spot additives. It said, "We would like to see one clear labelling system."