The independent food watchdog was responding to a survey carried out on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) which showed that nearly nine out of ten consumers (88 per cent) believed that parents had the greatest responsibility for ensuring children eat healthily. Schools, at 43 per cent, were regarded as the second most important, with food manufacturers third at 30 per cent and broadcasters at 26 per cent.
Kath Dalmeny, policy officer at the Food Commission, said, 'No one can disagree that parents have a very strong responsibility for the diets of their children, but they need as much support as they can get to make that easier for them. At the moment all of the prevailing culture is against them. All of the unhealthy stuff is given the support of cartoon characters and football stars. They should back off from marketing things in a way which sets parents against children.'
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