The Oaklands branch yesterday kicked off a push for a spotlight system of labelling at supermarkets.

Branch secretary Heather Kerr put the plan to the Murray Group’s 51st conference, at Jindera.

Label traffic lights, based on NSW’s canteen policy, define healthy choices with green light foods nutritious, amber processed food of some value and red warning of food with little nutritional value.

“This system would allow easy choice and provide a guide on the foods’ benefits,” Miss Kerr said. “We would like to see laws for this system nationally.”

Miss Kerr said correct information was the key to good eating habits.

“This system would give consumers an easy way to choose health foods,” she said.

The branch will submit its plan to the next state conference.

Past state president Patrisha Hurley, who has been part of a push to ban energy drinks being sold to children at supermarkets, yesterday backed the idea.

“A seven-year-old can buy energy drinks that can do terrible damage, even kill,” she said.

Mrs Hurley’s NSW branch of Myamley put its plan to last year’s state conference and it was sent on to the state government.

“We are waiting for an answer,” she said.

“We are a voice to be heard and the government listens to us.”