Anti-obesity campaigns ''aren't working''

13:04 Anti-obesity campaigns ''aren't working'' 0 Comments

The government has to do more to tackle the national obesity "emergency", Which? has said in a new report which described the attempts to far as "inadequate". Despite major food companies being asked to sign up to the 'Responsibility Deal' to commit to displaying calorie information, reducing salt in foods and removing trans fats, there has not been enough action, the watchdog said. And given the scale of the diet-related health problem that costs the NHS more than £5bn every year a radical change of approach and pace is required. Which? has found that just two of the top 10 restaurants and pub groups have agreed to provide calorie information and two of the top five coffee shops. And while "some good progress" has been made on companies committing to reduce salt in their food, many big name brands like Iceland, Findus, Princes and Birds Eye have yet to make the pledge. Finally, while most major companies have removed trans fats from their products, there are still smaller take-aways and other caterers that haven't signed up to the pledge. Which? called on the government in the next six months to demand that all food companies use traffic light nutrition labelling, establish 2014 salt reduction targets, introduce a robust pledge for sugar and fat reductions, make saturated fat a priority, ban artificial trans fats, put pressure on food companies to be responsible in their promotions and improve food in public institutions, including hospitals. Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "We have the worst obesity rates in Europe and diet-related diseases, like heart disease and stroke, are blighting the public's health. Our audit of progress made under the government's Responsibility Deal has shown the current approach is overly reliant on vague voluntary promises by the food industry. This has so far failed to bring about change on anything like the scale needed. "The government relies too much on voluntary deals with industry rather than showing real leadership. If food companies don't agree to help people eat more healthily, then we must see legislation to force them to do so for the sake of the health of the nation."