As part of the Obesity Plan, food manufacturers are called on to remove 20% of sugar from a range of fattening foods by 2020.
Public Health England, the government's health promotion agency, has announced how it plans to manage the food industry 'reduction and reformulation programme', which PHE will lead on. The programme is part of the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan, published in August.
The food industry has been asked to remove 20% of the sugar from food categories that contribute the most to children’s diets by 2020, starting with 5% in Year 1. Meanwhile, PHE expects work to continue to meet the existing salt reduction targets for 2017. Later in 2017, PHE will develop a similar reduction programme for calories.
PHE set out its expectation that all sectors of the food and drink industry, including the out-of-home sector (restaurants, cafes, pubs and takeaways) should take part in the programme. PHE is meeting with industry to discuss targets for specific categories, including breakfast cereals, confectionery, ice-cream, yoghurts, croissants, spreads, biscuits, cakes and puddings.
PHE plans to publish regular progress reports, so that charities and health campaigners will be able to scrutinise the programme.
Read the PHE announcement here.
Find out more here about Sustain's campaigning work for healthier children's diets.
Published Friday 14 October 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
