Retailers already fighting obesity, no need for bans, claims BRC

Its assertion followed the publication at lunchtime of the Government's £372m strategy to combat obesity.

Promoting healthier food choices was named by health secretary Alan Johnson as one of five key planks of the strategy.

It includes: “Setting out a Healthy Food Code of Good Practice to be finalised in partnership with the food and drink industry, including proposals to develop a single, simple and effective approach to food labelling, and to challenge the industry (including restaurants and food outlets) to support individuals and families reduce their consumption of saturated fat, salt and sugar.”

It also involves TV watchdog Ofcom bringing forward its review of the restrictions already introduced on the advertising of unhealthy foods to children.

The BRC claimed the example set by UK food retailers showed the market was already delivering on healthy eating without the need for regulation.

Retailers had long recognised their responsibilities and were using a string of practical measures to encourage better diets, the BRC added.

BRC director of food policy Andrew Opie said: “This is about far more than just food labelling. The Government is right to recognise that food is only one element of the obesity equation and factors such as exercise and education are also important. Sensibly the Government has accepted the market is delivering healthier choices for consumers.

“Retailers have been leading from the front on healthy eating for years. They have long been promoting fresh fruit and vegetables, developing healthier food products, improving nutritional labelling and supporting healthier eating campaigns.

“Retailers, knowing their customers and voluntarily offering them new and easier choices, are achieving more, more quickly, than bans, restrictions or lectures ever could.

“The BRC and individual retailers will continue to work with Government to achieve the healthier nation we all want.”

Retailers' healthier eating initiatives fall into three main categories, the BRC said:

Product development
“All the leading UK food retailers have developed healthy eating ranges which include foods lower in fat, sugar and salt. They continue to reformulate products, further reducing levels in all their ranges. They have voluntarily eliminated industrially added trans-fats from all own brand lines.”

Nutritional labelling
“Retailers have led Europe on front-of-pack labelling, making it easier for consumers to compare products and eat more healthily.”

Communicating with consumers and government
“Retailers are working with suppliers, the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency to communicate messages such as the '5-a-day' fruit and vegetable, salt reduction and sensible drinking recommendations - aimed at influencing consumers' dietary choices.”