GREEN MEP Jean Lambert has called for tough new rules to stop food manufacturers targeting children with misleading claims about the health benefits of their products.
At present, manufacturers put health and nutritional claims on food voluntarily, and there are no rules governing their use.
Euro-MPs meeting in Brussels are reviewing proposals for stricter regulation of food labelling to help prevent misleading claims being put on food. Mrs Lambert, Green Party MEP for London, today said she backed the proposals.
Some 68 per cent of consumers regularly read food labels and it is important that they can trust the claims and know them to be based on sound science, she said.
Members of Environment Committee heard this week that
children's health in particular is at risk from unhealthy diets, and Green / EFA
Euro-MPs called for new European rules on food labelling to make special provision
for foods aimed at children, and in particular to force food manufacturers
to
seek prior approval for any claims about health benefits made in marketing products
aimed at children.
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Lambert said: "With such high levels of obesity and heart disease, it's never been more important to emphasise and promote a healthy diet, particularly to children.
"That's
why certain claims made by some food manufacturers about the
apparent health
benefits of their products strike such a chord with many
parents. Eating habits
are often set at a very young age which is why it's
so important that parents
and young people are able to make an informed
choice.
The message about the need to eat a healthy diet is getting across to people, and they do look at labels to assist them. '90% fat free' sounds healthy but it can still mean the product is 10% fat - which is actually higher than most low fat products.
"That's why I'm backing proposals for new rules to compel food manufacturers to be accurate and transparent in the claims they make about their products - particularly those aimed children.
"These aren't proposals to stop foods from being made and sold, just to ensure that, where manufacturers choose to make claims, that they are clear and truthful. Food that carries health claims must be healthy."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
A recent UK Consumers Association survey about foods aimed at children found that:
* Many foods aimed at children are poorer nutritionally than adult versions
* Many foods aimed at children have high salt levels
* Some products labelled 'lunchbox fillers' have misleading labels and limited nutritional information
Recent studies have shown up some disturbing
facts about foods aimed at children. Kellogg's Frosties Turbos, for example, contain
at least five times as much sugar as Kellogg's Cornflakes, whilst other breakfast
products like Nestle Shreddies and Kellogg's X-men 2 contain very high
levels
of salt.
For more information please contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280,
07973 823358 or press@greenmeps.org.uk