A REVOLUTIONARY device can help people lose weight and stay healthy say the dynamic Worcestershire duo who invented it.

The “Key Change”, launched this month, is a nutritional tool that slots into a trolley in the same way as a token.

Shoppers can check labels on foods for fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and salt so they can make informed lifestyle choices about what they feed themselves and their family.

The easy-to-use device is colour coded – red for high, yellow for medium and green for low.

On the flip side of the keyring are diagrams of teaspoons next to the equivalent weight in grams in sugar and salt so people can visualise more easily how much of each is in the products they buy.

There is also a helpful chart showing the recommended intake of salt for children of different ages and adults.

The idea was devised by human nutrition expert Jessica Manion, aged 25, of Welland, near Malvern.

It emerged out of work she completed for her dissertation at the University of Worcester.

The key change was developed further in partnership with friend and nutritional therapist, Monica Price of Cutnall Green, near Droitwich though their company, J&M.

They hope the device will be a global success in tackling problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension and type two diabetes, all of which can be linked to diet and lifestyle.

Mrs Price said: “People still don’t understand food labels.

There is nothing else like this in the world.”

Miss Manion added: “This is purely for the consumer and we hope supermarkets will buy them and offer them to the consumer.

Everyone will benefit from this information.

“With this, people can make their own informed food choices.”

The key change has already attracted interest from Worcestershire County Council and Birmingham City Council.

The women are also interested to hear from the NHS and from companies with an interest in health.

But they are also keen to point out Key Change, which is available at a cost of £2.50, can be supplied to individuals.

For more information, go to nutritionbymonica.co.uk or e-mail touchwoodtc@aol.com.