The European Commission yesterday proposed to establish a European Union-wide scheme to provide free fruit and vegetables to school children. European funds worth €90 million every year would pay for the purchase and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables to schools, and this money would be matched by national funds in those Member States which chose to make use of the programme. The Commission has already created a ‘Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity and related... ...Read more »

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for stronger partnerships between Government and the food services industry to help enable consumers to make healthier choices when eating out of the home. A report published yesterday by the Cabinet Office’s Strategy Unit, ‘Food Matters - Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century’, sets out Government aims to better integrate the different elements of the food system and its impact economically, socially and environmentally;... ...Read more »

The favourite snacks of children remain confectionery and potato chips but a new survey reports that healthier snacking options are beginning to tried by young children. The survey required children to list their favourite after school snacks, with 48% of school children aged 11-16 listing potato chips (crisps) among their favourite snacks followed by chocolate/sweets (39%), biscuits/cakes (32%), fruit (32%) and soft drinks (27%). A similar picture emerged for children aged 4-11 years old but fruit... ...Read more »

With Australia now credited with the worst obesity epidemic in the world, a number of policy changes have been mooted. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said last week that the Federal Government considered obesity a concern of high priority, with a National Preventative Health Taskforce set up to provide recommendations to tackle the problem. “We’ve taken steps to make obesity a national health priority. We’re investing in community level initiatives,” she said. “Obviously... ...Read more »

The Food Standards Agency has published a survey of more than 2,000 people across the UK that provides a snapshot of what consumers want when they eat out. The findings show that 85% of people agreed with the statement that restaurants, pubs and cafes have a responsibility to make it clear what is in the food they serve. In addition, when asked where respondents would expect to see nutritional information for it to be most useful, 81% of people said they would like to see it at the point... ...Read more »

The House of Representatives inquiry into obesity is underway with the Australian Food and Grocery Council highlighting the potential for manufacturers to leave Australian shores if new legislation is perceived as being too harsh. The concern about obesity in Australia has led to a growing number of health and consumer groups requesting new legislation to tackle the issue, with a traffic light labeling system, taxes on “junk-food”, advertising restrictions and subsidies on fruit and vegetables... ...Read more »

Parents are unhappy with the current food labeling system in Australia and are calling on the government to take action, according to The Parents Jury. Results from a national survey released by The Parents Jury, a web based forum with over 3200 members “advocating for the improvement of children’s food and physical activity environments”, revealed that 85 per cent of parents want the government to introduce a compulsory front of pack labeling system. The majority of parents surveyed... ...Read more »

The South Australian Government’s program to help rid school canteens of junk food has come under fire from the Liberal Opposition due to concerns about food additives. The ‘Rite-Bite’ campaign initiated by the Labor Party is designed to reduce fat, sugar and salt content in school canteens across South Australia, but the lack of policing of preservatives and additives worries the opposition. Shadow Education Minister, David Pisoni, has now called for an investigation into... ...Read more »

The campaign against junk food advertising to children is gaining momentum with consumer group CHOICE releasing research indicating most parents believe junk food advertising undermines their efforts to teach their children about nutrition. Almost nine out of ten parents (88%) responding to a Newspoll survey said the advertising and marketing of food specifically to children contributes to the difficulties parents have in ensuring children develop healthier eating habits. The survey coincides... ...Read more »

Australian food industry professionals will be monitoring with interest the outcome of new US laws which have outraged food retailers. The New York City Health Department has begun enforcing new legislation which requires chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menu boards. The laws only apply to chains in New York City with more than 15 restaurants nationwide, meaning that 10% of all restaurants in New York will be affected. According to the New York City Health Commissioner Dr... ...Read more »