Labour would outlaw high levels of sugar, fat and salt in children’s food and have GPs prescribe exercise, the shadow health secretary has said.
Andy Burnham told Sky News more needed to be done to tackle lifestyle problems as part of NHS reforms.
He said he was extremely concerned about the level of sugar being fed to children and pledged it was time to tackle the food industry.
Speaking on the Murnaghan programme Mr Burnham said: “I just cannot defend the amount of sugar that children are eating. We have seen more and more sugar built into our food over time and I am looking there at a mandatory maximum limit on fat, salt and sugar in children’s food.”
The most recent Health Survey for England figures show that 28% of children aged between two and 15 were classed as overweight or obese.
According to Which? Research a number of popular children’s breakfast cereals contain as much as 30% sugar.
Speaking about George Osborne’s plans for a £3.1bn shot in the arm for NHS finances, Mr Burnham said there were other factors that needed to be looked at involving lifestyle.
He suggested that family doctors should refer patients for exercise to help them tackle weight and healthy eating problems.
He said: “I would like to look more at exercise and physical activity, making referrals for physical activity available in all GPs’ surgeries because I think if people become more physically active then they get control over what they are eating, over what they are drinking and all the other things.”
Labour Plans High-Sugar Children's Food Ban
No comments:
Post a Comment