UK Promotion of Food and Children's Diets

[Guest guest]

Please act on OUR behalf in this measure.

 

Mary Finelli <hello_itz_me wrote:IVU-Veg-News

" Mary Finelli "

Thu, 13 Nov 2003 10:00:49 -0500

[ivu-veg-news] (U.K.) Promotion of Food and Children's Diets

 

PROMOTION OF FOOD AND CHILDREN'S DIETS

Further research launched into the effect of advertising on children's

diets.

Meat News, November 11, 2003

http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Article & artNum=6456

 

 

The British Food Standards Agency has published a discussion paper on

possible options for action on the promotion and advertising of foods that

could improve children's diets and health.

 

Action under consideration includes research, building on existing guidance,

best practice, and new regulation. These measures could cover sponsorship,

advertising, labelling, endorsements, in-store activity and loyalty schemes.

 

The Board of the Agency will decide next year, following public debate,

which policy options it wishes to recommend to Government.

 

In September 2003, the Agency published a comprehensive, peer-reviewed,

independent research project 'Does Food Promotion Influence Children? A

Systematic Review of the Evidence', carried out by Professor Gerard

Hastings. His review concluded that advertising to children does have an

effect on children's food preferences, purchase behaviour and consumption,

and that these effects occur not just at brand level, but also for different

types of foods.

 

Sir John Krebs, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, said: " We already know

that many children's diets contain more fat, sugar and salt than is

recommended.

" We know that the level of obesity in children is rising and, in the words

of the Chief Medical Officer, is a health time bomb that could explode.

" By 2010 it could cost £3.6 billion a year and be a very significant factor

in the ill health of thousands of people and their families. This is why the

Agency is encouraging a wide debate on the options for action that could

make a difference. Doing nothing is not an option. "

 

Current figures show that 8.5 per cent of six year olds and 15 per cent of

15 years olds are obese and it is predicted that by 2010 obesity will cost

the nation some £3.6 billion a year.

 

The Agency intends to discuss the options paper at length with consumer

groups, retailers, the food and advertising industries and other interested

parties. The Agency is also drawing up plans for a public meeting, to be

held in London in January 2004. The event is intended to capture the views

of a broad spectrum of people, groups and bodies.

 

The Food Standards Agency Board will consider the outcomes of the public

debate and discuss the options available at their open meeting in February,

once these activities have been completed.