Councillor Jane Streather, Newcastle’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “Obesity is a big and growing problem which really should be the Government’s number one public health priority”.
Advertisement
The government’s plan, which includes a voluntary target to reduce sugar in children’s food and drink by 20 per cent, prompted criticism from the British Medical Association, the BBC reported.
However, the plan says Public Health England will report on whether the industry is reducing sugar content and, if it is deemed that insufficient progress has been made, the Government will consider “whether alternative levers need to be used”.
Under the plan, the government is to introduce a soft drinks industry levy on producers and importers across the United Kingdom, created to encourage a reduction in the amount of sugar contained in these products. Where are the mandatory points?
It follows a long-running anti-sugar campaign by the TV chef, who has introduced a 10p tax on sugary drinks across his own United Kingdom restaurants.
Mr Coupe said the Government had missed a first opportunity to bring in “traffic light” labelling across the food and drink sector, with the markers on products in shops, restaurants and takeaways.
At the time, Britvic CMO Matt Barwell highlighted that the brand already has strict rules in place over advertising to children, saying it does not advertise to children aged under 12, does not use licensed characters and does not associate with online games or gaming.
Many were concerned about the non-mandatory nature of the measures, including TV chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver who said he was “shocked” and “disappointed” with the Government’s childhood obesity strategy. 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 global food corporations.
“While the launch of the soft drinks industry levy consultation is an important step, the Government’s plan falls disappointingly short of what is needed”.
LONDON-The U.K. government is challenging the food and beverage industry to reduce overall sugar by one fifth across a range of products as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity.
The PHRD sought to reduce the levels of fat, sugar and salt in food by reformulation by voluntary action by the industry.
Michaela ONeill, President of the BSDHT, added: “As dental professionals we see first-hand the devastating effect that too much sugar has on our children’s oral health”.
The industry was challenged to cut children’s sugar intake by at least 20% by 2020.
Fizzy drinks company Coca Cola also issued a statement about the strategy.
Government officials said they opted for a voluntary sugar reduction scheme so the food industry could start taking steps immediately, rather than waiting for changes in the law. “This is good news for consumers, and for businesses”, he said.
While many praised the sugar tax announced by George Osborne in March, Dr Jo Bibby, director of strategy at the Health Foundation, said the plan as a whole is “unambitious” and will fail to relieve pressure on health services.
“During this time there has been no corresponding decline in obesity rates”.
Advertisement
Campaign group Action on Sugar claims Prime Minister Theresa May has “failed the nation” with a weak obesity strategy. “The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recently concluded that sugar consumption increases the risk of consuming too many calories, the risk of tooth decay, and that consumption of sugar sweetened beverages is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and linked to higher weight in children”, says the document. Complications of the condition can cause blindness or limb amputation.
