junk food marketing to kids

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 10 Oct 2005, 15:52

I was going to put this on the school dinners thread, but after so long it felt like bumping, so I thought I'd start over... I do have the text of the letter and editors' notes if anyone wants to see them, but it made for too long a post here:

Press release

Top chefs tell PM to ban junk food marketing to kids

An open letter from more than twenty prominent food writers and chefs today calls on the Prime Minister to support the Children's Food Bill to protect children from being targeted by junk food advertisers. The letter's signatories include Raymond Blanc, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Sophie Grigson, Marguerite Patten OBE, Gary Rhodes, Nigel Slater, Rick Stein and Antony Worrall Thompson. [1]

Whilst welcoming recent announcements to introduce minimum nutritional standards for school food, [2] the letter calls upon the Government to end advertising and promotions which present junk food and drinks to children as positive and desirable choices. It also calls for practical food education to become part of the school curriculum for every child, "to stop the scandal of children leaving school knowing only how to open a packet or a tin".

Protecting children from junk food marketing and ensuring practical food education for all children are central provisions of the Children's Food Bill, which is already supported by more than 200 cross-party MPs, 150 national organisations and many thousands of parents. [3]

Publication of the letter takes place to coincide with National School Meals Week [4] and the Children's Food Bill launch in the House of Commons on Wednesday 12th October, to be hosted by the Bill's sponsor, Mary Creagh MP, and addressed by award-winning food writer Sophie Grigson. [5]

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield said, "I welcome Government proposals for nutrient standards for school meals and the removal of junk food from school vending machines. This is a victory for all those who have campaigned for better food in schools.

I want the Government to go further. Parents are tired of being pestered to buy unhealthy foods at supermarkets because their children recognise Bart Simpson or Shrek on the packet. Young people need to be educated about food so that they can make informed decisions about their diet which they can take into adult life."

Sophie Grigson, award-winning food writer said, "To change children's attitudes to food, we need to improve their food environments both in and out of school.

As well as presenting good appetising food on their plates, we must protect children from advertisements which promote unhealthy food and drinks, and make sure they learn the skills that enable them to prepare delicious healthy food from fresh ingredients".

For more information, please call:

Henry Gregg in Mary Creagh MP's office on 0207 219 6984 or 07980 298404;

Charlie Powell, Children's Food Bill Project Officer on 0207 837 1228 or 07817 746786; or

Jeanette Longfield, Co-ordinator of Sustain on 0207 837 1228

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 10 Oct 2005, 23:31

If you took a look in many of the kids packed lunch boxes you would see that it is the Parents who should be first in the queue for lectures on food!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 Oct 2005, 12:33

Kids learn their eating habits from their parents. I'm with PoP on this one - it's the parents who need to be educated. Bring back the nanny state and lets start with mandatory parenting classes for all.

The healthy eating message doesn't seem to have filtered down to Towerbank Nursery, where they tried to feed my daughter a hotdog the other week. However, there is unlikely to be a repetition as we have now declared her to be vegetarian (for the time she is there at least).

scossie5 · Post by **scossie5** » 12 Oct 2005, 13:38

When I was at school (along time ago in a land far far away) the canteen only served healthy food and you weren't allowed off the school premises at lunchtime without a lunch pass - and it meant that you had to go home. Students seen using local shops, chippies etc would be given detention and your school uniform marked you out wherever you went.

I know it would be the end of half the food stores in Porty if this rule was enforced, but what a saving grace it would be to all the litter. I would love to see students signing a contract undertaking to dispose of their food wrappings thoughtfully, or have to take their food without wrapping as a consequence! How many chips could you hold in your hands?

Ed · Post by Ed » 12 Oct 2005, 14:46

I live near Royal High primary school and every break they are in Giovanni's and the Sandwich Shop next door (La Panini I think), buying chips/suppers, bacon/sausage/egg rolls etc. etc.

My wife says they are in Morrisons as well buying all sorts of rubbish with their supposed lunch money.

When I was wee, we were not allowed out of the school grounds without a parent coming to get us. I went to Brunstane.

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 12 Oct 2005, 16:13

Just a wee note in support of Towerbank Nursery, we are far from perfect I will agree, but we do actually try to support a healthy eating regime most of the time. The day in question when there were hot dogs on offer, there was also fresh pineapple, grapes, apple and cheese and it was only aprox. 1/5 th of a hot dog on each stick. We do not have meat very often and always have vegetarian options for those who prefer not to eat it.

Todays snack for example was bread sticks, crackers, tuna and sweetcorn, apples and grapes. Fairly healthy I think, and the children are always encouraged to take the fruit, it would surprise you how many pass it by and have to be reminded to "try" some.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Oct 2005, 17:16

Teddygirl, from what you say I would agree that Towerbank Nursery is offering healthy food and I retract my earlier comments.

However, I still think it would be better to offer no meat at all than to offer tinned hot dog sausages.

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 12 Oct 2005, 19:21

Thanks Bob, your comments are appreciated. We do try to keep it healthy most of the time but it is hard to keep everyone happy. No matter what else is on offer there is usually at least two if not more, varieties of fresh fruit available.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 12 Oct 2005, 22:54

PoP Junior had her first ever fried egg at Towerbank Nursery!