RETAILERS ALREADY LEADING ON OBESITY

23 January 2008

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) welcomed the Government’s plans for a coordinated obesity policy saying retailers have been at the forefront of offering healthier eating choices for years.

Reacting to today’s (Wednesday) announcement by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, the BRC said the example set by UK food retailers shows the market is already delivering on healthy eating without the need for regulation.

The BRC stresses that food is only one part of the obesity equation and cannot be isolated from factors such as exercise, planning, education and health services but retailers have long recognised their responsibilities and are using a string of practical measures to encourage better diets.

British Retail Consortium Director of Food Policy Andrew Opie said: “This is about far more than just food labeling. The Government is right to recognise that food is only one element of the obesity equation and factors such as exercise and education are also important. Sensibly the Government has accepted the market is delivering healthier choices for consumers.  

“Retailers have been leading from the front on healthy eating for years. They have long been promoting fresh fruit and vegetables, developing healthier food products, improving nutritional labeling and supporting healthier eating campaigns.

“Retailers, knowing their customers and voluntarily offering them new and easier choices, are achieving more, more quickly, than bans, restrictions or lectures ever could.

“The BRC and individual retailers will continue to work with Government to achieve the healthier nation we all want.”

Retailers’ healthier eating initiatives fall into three main categories:

Product development – All the leading UK food retailers have developed healthy eating ranges which include foods lower in fat, sugar and salt. They continue to reformulate products, further reducing levels in all their ranges. They have voluntarily eliminated industrially added trans-fats from all own brand lines.

Nutritional labeling – Retailers have led Europe on front-of-pack labeling, making it easier for consumers to compare products and eat more healthily.  

Communicating with consumers and government – Retailers are working with suppliers, the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency to communicate messages such as the ‘5-a-day’ fruit and vegetable, salt reduction and sensible drinking recommendations - aimed at influencing consumers’ dietary choices.

Media Contacts: BRC Press Office 020 7854 8924/8920 Out of hours 07921 605544