News article

24 June 2010

FDF Response to Datamonitor press release about childhood obesity

PRESS RELEASE

“We would challenge Datamonitor's predictions, given that the Department of Health published figures earlier this year showed that the historical rise in obesity levels among young children had levelled off (Ref: Department of Health Obesity Strategy Report 2010). That would suggest the combined efforts of DH, healthcare professionals and industry to tackle this issue are starting to pay off. Nobody is being complacent: we agree that childhood obesity levels are still too high in the UK and we look forward to working in partnership with the new Government on any initiatives designed to help consumers of all ages lead healthier lives.

“We are equally surprised by Datamonitor's analysis of sales and its claims about the market – as other credible sources suggest that we actually bought fewer bags of snacks and chocolate bars in 2009 (ref: The Grocer Top Products Survey 2009).

“We fear this story is an example of a shameless headline-grabbing PR stunt – rather than an attempt to provide any meaningful insight into what remains a complex issue for us all.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector.

More Information

FDF Press team: Cath Wilkins on cath.wilkins@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7132; Sarah Lovell on sarah.lovell@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7131; Rebecca Wilhelm rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7140

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Obesity

The food and drink industry has long been committed to playing its part in tackling the complex issue of obesity. More on obesity