Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary (below), yesterday announced his party’s new approach to public health, which pledged to take tougher action on commercial pressures placed on children as well as detailing Labour’s new food policy.
In the speech at Demos, the cross-party think-tank, Andy Burnham committed to setting a maximum limit on levels of fat, salt and sugar in food marketed to children.
He said: “Children will need better protection from the pressures of modern living and the harm caused by alcohol, sugar and smoke and Labour will not flinch from taking the action needed to provide it.
“David Cameron and his Government are too close to powerful vested interests to stand up for our children.
“This new positive approach will help give all children a healthy start and help adults to get the most out of life.”
Lead Association for Catering in Education chair (LACA), Carrieanne Bishop, welcomed the pledge, but noted the importance of changing attitudes for the future.
Carieanne Bishop said: “It is great that the Labour party want to tackle obesity, and childhood obesity, head on. While a cap on unhealthy ingredients such as sugar and salt is a powerful tool in the efforts to improve the nation’s diet, properly educating children from an early age in nutritional issues remains vital to producing a generation of healthy adults, this should not be overlooked.”
Also responding to Labour’s announcement, HCA chair Andy Jones (left) expressed his frustration, as issues such as malnutrition and hospital food were not addressed, but remained hopeful.
Andy Jones said: “We welcome any commitment to improve the health of the nation and reduce the long term burden that is placed on the NHS, and by starting with children, is in my view, the correct way forward. Hopefully this will also see the good work that has already been achieved by LACA and the Schools Food trust built upon further.
“As for the ‘traffic light’ labelling, why wait to for the EU to introduce this, we should do it if it’s right and take the lead.
“However, I am disappointed that with this document being termed ‘new approach to public health’ that we have no mention of malnutrition, but this may be announced hopefully in the next few days.
“As chair I have recently written to all the parliamentary parties asking them to ensure that hospital food focuses highly in their manifestos. So hopefully today’s announcement maybe the start.”
To read more on Labour’s new health pledge, click on the link below.