It was the news the GDA camp had been waiting for. Last week the European Commission forwarded a proposal for new food labelling legislation that backs GDAs. Cue protests from Which? and co, which panned the Commission for ignoring traffic lights, and jubilation from the pro-GDA camp.

But the jubilation may prove short-lived. Some senior industry figures are starting to mutter that Brussels has gone too far this time - and not just with GDAs.

Retailers such as Waitrose and Sainsbury's, which support traffic lights, will have to drop traffic lights or squeeze both sets of information on packs. Sainsbury's hasn't ruled the latter out.

"We will continue to listen to what labels our customers want," says Sainsbury's brand director Judith Batchelar. If Sainsbury's retains its Wheel of Health system, however, it is likely to have to modify it as the proposal states other schemes must not undermine GDAs.

There's also the cost to consider: changing a label costs £1,000 a product. And even companies that already advocate GDAs will be affected as a sixth measure, for carbohydrates, must be included, something that most UK companies that use GDA labelling currently don't.

This has provoked criticism from the CIAA, the umbrella body for EU-based food trade bodies. "Why add carbohydrates?" says Sabine Nafziger, director of diet and health. "You have to weigh it up against what people want to see at a glance and this ignores the need for simple information. Most UK companies have five GDAs, which is enough."

The BRC has also criticised the move. "None of the UK schemes use carbohydrates and they would have to change packs," says food policy director Andrew Opie.

Another controversial proposal is Brussels' call for labelling to use a font size no smaller than 3mm. "If they aren't using bigger fonts it is because it is not possible," says Nafziger. "The proposal is unworkable."

There's another downside, warns the BRC. It could force manufacturers to increase pack sizes to accommodate the labelling, creating more waste. "Companies will have to find creative ways to include information, maybe as a pullout," says Opie. "But we don't want to see excess packaging . You can achieve legibility without increasing font size."

Plans to keep origin labelling voluntary have also prompted criticism, particularly from the meat industry. At the moment, beef is the only meat that must carry country-of-origin labelling, in the wake of BSE.

"The proposal will disappoint many producers who hoped the beef labelling regulations would be extended to other meats," says MLC chief executive Richard Lowe. The NFU agrees and is urging members to contact MEPs demanding compulsory country-of-origin labelling.

Meanwhile, drinks manufacturers have come out against the plans to make RTDs and flavoured wines declare ingredients on-pack.

"Any proposals relating to labelling should not single out one alcohol category," says Joe Woods, MD of Beverage Brands, which makes RTDs. "The proposal excludes beers, wines and spirits but includes aromatised wines, fruit ciders, fruit beers and RTDs. We are not convinced consumers want this information on alcohol labels and will be lobbying for a total exclusion."

They won't be the only ones lobbying hard during the FSA's 12-week public consultation. And they'll be keeping their fingers crossed that Brussels listens. n