Cigarette style warnings for Junk Food
Posted by Lucy on 11-07-2010
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So today, Leading doctors have weighed in on the debate over the government's role in promoting public health by demanding that ministers impose "fat taxes" on unhealthy food and introduce cigarette-style warnings to children about the dangers of a poor diet.
I think comparisons to smoking in this way highlights to many of us the extent to which a poor diet can affect health. Unfortunately, many items advertised to children claim health benefits on the front of their packaging such as "high in calcium" or "rich in vitamin C" whilst concealing high salt, sugar or fat content. Another one to look out for is "Free from artificial colours, additives or flavourings" when the product is again high in sugar or fat to avoid compromise on flavour.
I think its great news that the potential minefield of food packaging is getting back on the agenda, hopefully making parents' trips to the supermarket less like a quiz show trying to guess the best options.
Read more about this story at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jul/11/doctors-junk-food-crackdown