“In completely removing whole sections from the draft strategy, it is hugely disappointing that the obesity plan puts the interests of the advertising industry ahead of the interests of children”.
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Officials have now confirmed the document will be published on Thursday.
But health campaigners slammed the government for failing to restrict junk food advertising aimed at children.
Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “At a time of economic uncertainty the government needs to be supporting these businesses and working with industry to support actions that are already making a difference, such as reformulation, smaller packs, and more marketing of the many no sugar options now available”.
The campaign will warn that the proposed levy on drinks containing more than 5g of sugar per 100ml will do little to tackle obesity and will lead to job redundancies.
If trends continue nearly 40 per cent of adults in the United Kingdom will be obese by 2025 – roughly 20 million people.
The coalition of United Kingdom businesses, which between them, employ more than 400,000 people across the United Kingdom, on Tuesday, launched a “Face the Fact, Can the Tax campaign” arguing the tax will not reduce obesity and would results in job losses and higher prices. The fight against childhood obesity is amongst the most pressing priorities for our NHS and urgent action has been demanded of the government, not weak words to placate worldwide food corporations.
Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of Action on Sugar and Consensus Action on Salt and Health, said: “After the farce of the Responsibility Deal where (former health secretary) Andrew Lansley made the food industry responsible for policing themselves, it is sad to see that this is just another imitation of the same Responsibility Deal take two”.
But the strategy, which applies to England, shies away from tough action and instead relies on voluntary agreements with the industry to reduce sugar content.
But the strategy is unlikely to include a ban on TV or in-store advertising.
The government’s plan also urges schools and parents to ensure children exercise more and says the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union will give it greater flexibility on food labeling.
According to latest figures, almost a fifth of children are obese by the time they leave primary school.
“For example, being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing 11 common cancers including breast, prostate and bowel. About 25,000 cancer cases could be prevented every year in the United Kingdom if everyone was a healthy weight”. “If the Government is looking to tackle obesity then promotion of these schemes, rather than additional costs, would be helpful”.
“This new government has the opportunity to show real leadership in reversing what is today’s major health epidemic”.
Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, described the plan as a catastrophe.
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“Apart from the government appearing to be resolute about a sugar levy, its intentions are light years away from what is needed”.
