Poll supports campaign to get unhealthy food out of schools

Growing concerns from parents about the amount of unhealthy food being touted to children in schools and on television can no longer be ignored, the Green Party says.

A weekend poll, published by Fight the Obesity Epidemic, showed resounding support for the Green Party's campaign to get unhealthy food and drink out of schools, and for a ban on advertisements for unhealthy food during children's viewing hours.

"Clearly the public strongly support our call for government action to reduce the pressures on our kids to eat unhealthy food," Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says.

"The Government could move tomorrow to get unhealthy food and drink out of school by amending the National Educational Goals to require all schools to have a food policy in place which ensures they only sell nutritious food which encourages healthy eating habits," Ms Kedgley says.

"It's time the Government stopped its foot-dragging and showed some leadership in the campaign to protect our children from the relentless commercial pressure to eat unhealthy food."

The weekend poll showed that 84 percent of New Zealanders agree or strongly agree that unhealthy food and drink products should not be sold in school canteens and vending machines, and that 71 percent agree that advertisements for unhealthy food and drink products should be banned during children's television programmes.

"The Government knows that poor diet is the leading cause of death and ill health in New Zealand, and yet it is refusing to take the necessary steps to protect our kids," Ms Kedgley says

ENDS

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