Ten point action plan launched for obesity accord

Green MP Sue Kedgley is challenging the food industry to implement a 10 point voluntary action plan she has drawn up to reduce obesity in New Zealand, to demonstrate that it is serious about reducing obesity in New Zealand.

Ms Kedgley, the Green Party’s Safe Food spokesperson, is launching her plan in the eve of the launch of a major food industry initiative today to help address the issue of obesity at Parliament today.

“Many New Zealanders share my scepticism about the industry’s commitment to reducing obesity,” said Ms Kedgley. “To demonstrate that the industry is serious about reducing obesity, and not just in avoiding regulation, I call on the industry to commit to the action plan below.

“As a first step the industry must agree to stop all exploitative advertising of unhealthy fatty, sugary, salty foods to children. As a second step it must respect the school environment as an advertising free zone, and remove vending machines and all other advertising, sponsorship or branding of unhealthy foods in schools.

“As a third step it should draw up targets for the reduction of fat, sugar and salt levels in food marketed at children, and then proceed to implement those targets,” she said.

10 Point Voluntary Action Plan for the Food Industry:

Follow McDonald’s lead by including nutritional food labelling on all take-away and delicatessen food.

Voluntarily withdraw all advertisements for foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar during children’s and adolescents TV viewing periods.

Remove food and drinks that are high in fat, salt and sugar (and sugar substitutes) from vending machines in schools, and replace with water, milk and natural fruit juices.

Remove from schools and other educational sponsorship all branding of foods high in fat, sugar and salt.

Support an independent review of the Code on Children’s Food Advertising.

Remove reference to any foods/drinks that are high in fat, sugar and salt from all sports sponsorship, using only brands associated with healthier options.

Develop (in conjunction with government, consumer and health groups), targets for the reduction of fat, sugar and salt in all processed foods, beginning with children’s foods, to implement within five years.

Identify on labels which foods and drinks are high in fat, sugar (sugar substitutes) or salt.

Work with supermarkets and other stores to keep snacks high in fat, sugar and salt away from the checkout, replacing them with healthier options such as fruit.

Use every opportunity to promote the healthy eating message to children, and only run promotional campaigns, including in-store promotions, that encourage children to eat healthier food.

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