Promoting healthy food

The London 2012 Olympic Games was an opportunity to promote well-being and to associate physical prowess with good food and active living. However, the Olympic and Paralympic Games are routinely associated with international brands and corporate sponsorship, and the major junk food brands McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Cadbury had a strong presence at London 2012, particularly in the Olympic Park itself.

In the UK, we have severe problems with childhood obesity and associated health problems. We should use every opportunity we have to promote healthier food choices to young people. And what better opportunity than promoting the links between great food and heroic athletes at an exciting international sporting event? Read Sustain's critique of junk food sponsorship in The Obesity Games.

The International Olympic Committee that organises international Olympic sponsorship has long-standing relationships with food and beverage companies that promote a lot of high sugar and high fat products, namely Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. For London 2012, the chocolate company Cadbury also joined the list of food sponsors. These organisations have made some steps to improve the nutritional profile and sustainability of their range of products and practices, but there is still a long way to go, particularly in promoting more nutritious and attractive food.

Unfortunately, at most sporting and tourist venues, unhealthy food and drinks are the norm – especially food targeted at children and young people. Sustain therefore wants to see large-scale sporting events - particularly those likely to attract a younger audience or be appealing to children - champion healthier food by:

• Setting nutrition standards in catering contracts for food that promotes fresh, healthy ingredients and limits salt, saturated fat and sugar consumption
• Being quite clear with all food providers (including sponsors) that marketing to children and young people should only be associated with food that meets nutrient profiling requirements for healthy food. High-profile sporting and cultural events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games should not be used as an opportunity to promote junk.

 

Sustain’s Children’s Food Campaign will be taking a keen interest in these issues. Join the Children’s Food Campaign to add your voice to the growing call for better food for children.