The Live Wire



Press Release

Could try harder…

9 March 2007

Two years ago the Government launched its Food and Health Action Plan to improve public health and encourage healthy eating. Two years on, Which? reports on its progress in four key areas:

1. Simplified Food Labelling

Several food retailers and manufacturers have adopted the Food Standard Agency’s traffic light labelling scheme but many have simply ignored it. Robust research confirms its usefulness and the Government must do more to encourage others to follow suit. Trying hard but underachieving.

9/10 for effort, but just 6/10 for achievement

2. Food advertising and promotion to children

The Government has still not published clear success criteria for action in this area. Ofcom’s timetable on TV advertising restrictions has severely slipped and its final proposals will have a limited effect. There has been little progress for tackling other forms of non-broadcast promotions. Extremely disappointing performance.

Scores 5/10 for effort and only 3/10 for achievement

3. Working with the food industry to reduce fat, sugar and salt

Although targets for salt consumption were published in March 2006, targets for sugar, fat and portion targets are still undecided. More progress is crucial in this area including effective monitoring to ensure industry is co-operating. A good start, but it’s now time for less talk and more action.

Scores 8/10 for effort but only 3/10 for achievement

4. School meals

Secondary and primary school standards on the nutritional content of school meals were delivered in time. These are robust measures but must now be monitored closely. Excellent progress made and a gold star for effort.

Scores 10/10 for effort and 7/10 for achievement

Sue Davies, chief policy adviser, Which? says:

“Although the Government is trying hard, it is still underachieving and failing to reach its own targets. School meals are the star pupil but we need real progress in the other areas.

“We would like to see the Government realise its potential and step in regarding unhealthy food promotion and advertising in particular. Without more Government effort in this area, children’s health will stay bottom of the class.”



Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to Central Lobby. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the Central Lobby service.

As such, Central Lobby does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.

Which?

Which?

More from Dods

© Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd