News • Children's Food Campaign
Labour commits to junk food ad ban and extension of sugary drinks tax
Sustain has welcomed commitments from shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth that a future Labour Government would introduce legal standards for hospital food, extend the sugary drinks tax and ban junk food advertising during family TV, for the benefit of the nation's health.
Speaking at the Hospital Caterers Association conference on 12 April 2018, shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth stated that the Labour Party:
- Welcomed the sugary drinks tax and wants to see it extended to milk-based sweet drinks.
- Wants to end the advertising of junk food during family TV viewing.
- Would ban the sale of high energy drinks to under 18s.
- Would put hospital meals on the same legal basis as school food standards, and ensure hospitals mandatorily meet minimum standards for the food served to patients, staff and visitors.
- Would set new, higher quality standards for hospital food so that it is nutritious and made with care by highly trained staff using the best sustainable ingredients. Would also ensure that the standards are independently monitored and enforced.
- Will consider mandatory legal requirements and restrictions on the sales of junk food and supersized confectionary products sold on NHS premises.
Read further comment on this story from Sustain's Campaign for Better Hospital Food
Published Friday 13 April 2018
Children's Food Campaign: Better food and food teaching for children in schools, and protection of children from junk food marketing are the aims of Sustain's high-profile Children's Food Campaign. We also want clear food labelling that can be understood by everyone, including children.
