Children's Food Campaign response to ASA ruling on Heinz Nurture products

The Children's Food Campaign today welcomed the Advertising Standards Authority's ruling that Heinz did not have sufficiently robust evidence to support claims that its Nurture infant formula and milk supported children's immunity and development.

Campaign Co-coordinator Christine Haigh said:

“Heinz's claims are the latest in a long line of misleading claims from marketers of children's food.  Food companies increasingly try to market their children's products by persuading parents that they are healthy.  Products, many of which are unhealthy, often carry health claims like 'low in fat' or 'contains vitamins' in a effort to mislead parents.”

She continued: “This ruling demonstrates the way that the food industry targets children and concerned parents, putting their profits before a genuine concern for their health.  For children to be properly protected, we need a robust system that stops this misleading marketing.”

She concluded: “This case bears striking resemblance to a case last October in which Danone's adverts claimed that Actimel was “scientifically proven to help support your kids defences” were ruled against after the company used research carried out in developing countries to justify their claims.  We believe the Food Standards Agency needs to investigate how widespread this practice is.”

In May, research conducted by the Children's Food Campaign exposed high levels of sugar and saturated fat in snacks marketed for babies and young children.  Many of these products carried health claims which were misleading to parents trying to make healthy choices for their children.

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For further information please contact Christine Haigh on 0203 5596 777 or 07870 577934 or Christine@sustainweb.org

Notes to editors:

1)     The Children's Food Campaign wants to improve children's health and well-being through better food - and food teaching - in schools, and protecting children from junk food marketing. We are supported by over 300 organisations, almost 300 MPs and 12,000 members of the public. The Children's Food Campaign is coordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming and funded by the British Heart Foundation.

2)     In October, The Children's Food Campaign today welcomed the Advertising Standards Authority's ruling that Danone could not support the claim in their adverts that Actimel is “scientifically proven to help support your kids' defences”.  https://www.sustainweb.org/news.php?id=269

3)     “Junk food for babies” was published by the Children's Food Campaign in May 2009, revealing high levels of saturated fat and sugar in foods marketed for babies and young children.  The report is available at http://sustainweb.org/pdf/CFC_Baby_food_report.pdf