Labour to restrict fat, sugar and salt in foods marketed at children
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Maximum limits would be imposed on the levels of fat, salt and sugar in food marketed to children, if Labour wins the election, as part of a new approach to public health.
Speaking to think tank Demos today, Labour’s shadow health secretary Andy Burnham will pledge to take tougher action to protect children from commercial pressures and the harm caused by sugar, alcohol and smoke.
According to Mr Burnham, the plans, which form part of the political party’s new food policy, are designed to do more to give every child a healthier start in life and will support parents to ensure the health of their children.
He will say, ‘Parents are responsible for securing the health of their children.
‘Labour believes Government action is justified to protect children as they do not make all their own choices, and to support parent trying to make the best decisions for them.
‘This approach will chart a new course towards a healthy nation in the 21st century.'
Labour's public health policy will also aim to ‘empower’ adults with information to make healthier choices and support them to ‘get active’. This will include setting a basic minimum recommended level of physical activity that everyone should try to achieve.
