Forum Brief: Obesity warning

The government's food watchdog, the Food Standards Agency, has raised the possibility of bans on TV advertising aimed at children, and health warnings on foods high in salt, sugar and fat.

A spokeswoman for DCMS told ePolitix.com: "We're pleased the FSA have joined in the debate and look forward to their report next year.

"We can't just think there is one answer to the problem.

"Of course advertisers want to attract children to buy their products, we're not naive about that. But there's more than one factor in this problem and there's more than one way to skin a cat.

"That's why exercise is so important, that's why we're spending £459 million on school sports over the next three years.

"But of course we need to make sure the code we've got is enough and is being adhered to, and that's what we're doing."

Forum Response: Food Standards Agency

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."

Forum Response: Canderel

A spokeswoman for Canderel told ePolitix.com: "Canderel welcomes the Food Standards Agency report.

"Obesity is one of today's biggest health challenges. As highlighted by obesity expert, professor Steve Bloom, the problem is in part linked to over consumption of sugar in the diet.

"Tackling obesity is a complex problem, which requires a partnership across government, health professionals, the voluntary and private sectors. A holistic approach to tackling obesity is required, encompassing diet, physical activity and behaviour.

"Canderel can play its part by offering an alternative to sugar - switching to a low calorie sweetener can have a significant impact on peoples' daily calorie intake - including children. But it is also about behaviour and our understanding of consumers and what they want can contribute in helping to inform strategies around changing behaviour for a healthier lifestyle.

"At the same time, clear labelling and description of sweetener alternatives is necessary in order to help consumers make informed choices, allowing them to control levels of sugar intake in their diets and reducing the risks of obesity."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

A spokeswoman for the Consumers' Association told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the Food Standards Agency's discussion paper and hope that it encourages debate on this important issue."

Forum Response: Health Development Agency

Professor Mike Kelly, director of research and information at the Health Development Agency, told ePolitix.com: "We live in an 'obesogenic' environment - a plethora of fast food outlets, reliance on cars, and offers enticing us to eat larger portion sizes all contribute to the problem.

"Obesity is a health inequality issue - studies have shown that it is children from poorer backgrounds that are more likely to suffer weight problems.

"Also there is a higher prevalence in some ethnic groups and in different regions across the country. This shows that a combined approach is needed to tackle obesity."

Forum Response: National Consumer Council

Ed Mayo, chief executive of the NCC, told ePolitix.com: "The FSA's determination to tackle the obesity time bomb is extremely welcome. It's now time to shape a programme of action that is effective against the clout of the food advertising industry and part of a wider campaign to make healthy life-style choices easier.

"NCC has already backed calls for a ban on junk food advertising targeted at young children, and there are several other ideas we think the FSA should explore.

"For instance - would a tax on junk food cut down on sales of food high in fat, salt and sugar? And should two-for-the-price-of-one offers, pushing low-nutrition foods such as chocolate, be discouraged? What wider support do families on low incomes need to build healthier diets? What happens in schools - from school dinners and lessons, to tuck shops and vending machines - could also be harnessed to shape healthier eating habits.

"To get to a food system that better serves the health of the whole population, requires change on behalf of all - industry, government and consumers."

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Richard Ali, director of Food Policy said: We are happy to reaffirm retailers' wholehearted endorsement of the government's key messagesthat exercise and eating a balanced and varied diet are vital components to a healthy lifestyle.

"Promotional activities including broadcast advertising, sales promotion and direct marketing, are governed by a mixture of statutory and compulsory self-regulatory codes.

"These are regulated by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Office of Fair Trading respectively. This strict and effective regulatory framework, which includes highly specific controls for promotions aimed at children, has a high level of support from the food sector.

"The BRC is on record as supporting the prime minister's view that exercise and eating a balanced and varied diet are vital components to a healthy lifestyle. The challenge for everyone with a stake in a healthy nation must be to encourage and support consumers in choosing balanced diets as part of healthier lifestyles.

"Retailers are convinced that the way to achieve this cultural shift is by developing clear, simple, consistent and scientifically credible messages across all health issues."