The UK’s most unhealthy processed foods should be given tobacco-style warning labels and banned from sale to young children, experts say.
Chris Van Tureken, an infectious disease doctor and author of “The Ultra-Processed People,” said the current food labeling system is “ineffective” and “misleading” for consumers.
Instead, it recommends placing specific warning labels on foods that are high in salt, fat, sugar and calories.
This includes soft drinks, sweets, all salty and sugary snacks, and many breakfast cereals.
And he argues that manufacturers should not be allowed to market these products to children, use cartoon characters in advertising, or make health claims.
Current food labeling systems include a traffic light system that uses the colors green, amber, and red to indicate how a food fits into certain dietary guidelines.
But critics say there are no strict regulations regarding its use, that it may not accurately reflect the overall nutrient content of the product, and that there may be a lack of public understanding of its implications. It is claimed that there is.
There are also some advertising restrictions targeting “high fat, salt, and sugar” (HFSS) foods, but these can be avoided if the product boasts other qualities, such as containing vegetables or protein. You can.
Chris van Tureken (pictured), an infectious disease doctor and author of Ultra-Processed People, said the current food labeling system was “ineffective” and “misleading” for consumers.
A collection of ultra-processed foods. Britain’s most unhealthy foods should be given tobacco-style warning labels and banned from sale to young children, experts say
“Traffic lights are misleading,” says Dr. Van Tureken. “They are voluntary and uninfluenced by national dietary guidance and are not effective.
“Manufacturers can stick three green lights on the side of a sugary cola so it looks like it’s 75 percent healthy.
“These traffic lights and HFSS advertising regulations have been in use for over 10 years, and during that time we have seen a steady increase in the rate of diet-related illness in children and adults.
“That’s why they don’t work.”
He is not calling for pictures of cancer patients on the packaging, as cigarette boxes sometimes feature, but he is calling for a system similar to that used in South America, particularly Chile and Mexico. claim, where a black octagonal symbol can be seen adorning the front of the product. Certain food packages.
These warning symbols indicate that a product contains “excess” sugar, calories, salt, or saturated fat.
“Once a product has a black octagon on it, it can’t have cartoon characters on it, it can’t make health claims, and it can’t be sold to children,” Dr. Van Tureken said.
It cannot be sold at schools or hospitals. You can’t use it in prison.
Dr van Tureken (pictured) also argues that the sugar tax, which is already in place on sugary drinks, should also be applied to sweets.
“The octagon is probably where we are heading, and if we don’t start with this perspective approach, we won’t achieve anything.
“The approach should be to say, ‘We are facing a terrible crisis, an emergency that needs to be resolved, and we need to think of radical solutions.'”
“Until we look at regulating the industry, we won’t see much change.
“These regulations should be carefully implemented in a way that allows industry to reformulate products and align them with dietary guidance.”
He also argued that the sugar tax already in place on sugary drinks should also be applied to sweets.
Labour’s recently announced junk food advertising ban means that from October next year it will be illegal to advertise ‘unhealthy’ food and drink on TV or online anytime before 9pm.
However, the government’s own impact assessment found that only two calories a day (equivalent to less than a tenth of a jelly baby’s worth) would likely be cut from children’s diets, leading to criticism from critics. points out that the ban covers oatmeal porridge and crumpets, but not greasy sausage rolls and pies.
A recent study revealed that young children in the UK get nearly half their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPF), increasing to 59 per cent by the age of seven.
Dr van Tureken’s comments were published ahead of this year’s Royal Institution Christmas Lecture. The lecture, aimed at young people aged 11 to 17, will explore the importance of the gut microbiome.
Researchers from University College London warned that highly processed foods containing too much salt and sugar are often cheaper than fruit and vegetables.
The analysis found that the most common UPFs consumed by infants aged 21 months were flavored yogurt and whole grain breakfast cereals.
On the other hand, the most common foods for 7-year-olds were sweet cereals, white bread, and pudding.
Dr van Tureken’s comments were published ahead of this year’s Royal Institution Christmas Lecture.
The lecture, aimed at young people aged 11 to 17, talked about the importance of the gut microbiome (the “good” and “bad” bacteria that reside in the intestines) and how what we eat affects us. We plan to explore how this has shaped the evolution of the world.
The talks will be broadcast on BBC4 and iPlayer at 9pm on 29th, 30th and 31st December.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Every child has the right to a healthy and happy start in life.”
“The Government is now taking action to end junk food advertising targeting children both on TV and online. This will be achieved through the 10-year Health Plan, which will shift the focus of healthcare from disease to prevention. This is the first step to making big changes.
Fast food employee in a chicken shop (stock image). Researchers from University College London warned that highly processed foods containing too much salt and sugar are often cheaper than fruit and vegetables.
“It will also give local authorities powers to restrict children’s access to fast food and block unhealthy takeaway applications near schools, in a bid to tackle obesity and other harms caused by high sugar intake. , we are reviewing the soft drinks industry tax to ensure it remains effective.’
A spokesperson for the Food and Drink Federation said: “Food and drink manufacturers have a legal obligation to provide accurate nutritional information on packaging.”
“The UK traffic light system is the government’s recommended approach to helping people understand what is in their food, and is based on standards set by the government.
“The traffic light system provides clear information about ‘high’ and ‘low’ levels of certain nutrients such as fat, salt and sugar.
Research shows that color-coded systems are the most effective design for nutrition labels. However, given that the current traffic light system was introduced 20 years ago, it is important that the government considers the latest evidence on how nutrition labeling helps shoppers make healthier choices. We support doing so. ”
