News article
26 August 2011
UK Food Industry Response to Lancet Obesity Series
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PRESS RELEASE
In response to the Lancet's Obesity Series, Terry Jones, Food and Drink
Federation's
Director of Communications said: “The Lancet fails to recognise the lengths to which the UK food and drink
industry has gone to help improve the health of the nation, particularly in
relation
to rising obesity levels.
“Earlier this year we were pleased to have been a founding signatory of the
Government's Public Health Responsibility Deal, demonstrating our commitment
to a
multi-stakeholder and coordinated approach to improving public health. We bring
with us our track record of achievement in key areas such as the reformulation
of
products – an area where the UK is now widely recognised as leading the world,
the provision of clear consumer information and our drive to support our own
workforce to make healthier choices.
“On product reformulation, the UK food and drink industry has been ahead of the
game for a long time in reducing salt, energy and fat in it's products.
Achievements so far include a
9% reduction in the amount of salt and fat consumed by households since 2006
(source: Kantar World Panel), and via the Responsibility Deal, our members have
committed to reduce levels even further where technologically possible, safe
and
acceptable to consumers.
"We recognise the significant threat that obesity poses to society and have
taken a proactive role in improving health. Food companies are well aware of
the
complex diet, lifestyle and health challenges facing society and understand the
high expectations that policy makers, regulators and campaigners have of the
entire food industry. Though the Responsibility Deal initiative is still in its
infancy, we firmly believe that as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development made clear last year 'co-operation between government and
industry
is the single most critical link in a multi stakeholder approach.”
More information
- FDF Press team
-
Nicki Hunt on or 020 7420 7132 - nicki.hunt@fdf.org.uk
-
Rebecca Wilhelm or 020 7420 7140 - rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk
-
Sarah Jenkinson or 020 7420 7131 - sarah.jenkinson@fdf.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink
manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more
information
about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk
- FDF has been a key participant in the development of the Responsibility Deal
that was launched on 15 March 2011 by Secretary of State Andrew Lansley.
- Kantar Worldpanel research for FDF (Jan 2011): The 9% average reduction in salt
equates to an average of 0.31g reduction per 100g of product in the past five
years. The 9% average reduction in fat equates to around 3000 tonnes less
saturated fat being placed in shoppers' trolleys compared to five years ago
despite a
considerable increase in product purchased.
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