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People in Ireland back ban on unhealthy food advertising to help address increasing rates of overweight and obesity

Linda Stewart — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:33:33 +0000

People in Ireland would back a ban on unhealthy food advertising to children and adults to tackle increasing rates of overweight and obesity, according to new research.

The new research by safefood has revealed that eight in ten people in Ireland agree that so-called “junk” food advertising aimed at children should be banned (80.2%), while almost seven in ten (69.4%) of respondents’ support restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to adults.

In particular, the research revealed high levels of public acceptance for policies that supported healthier food environments for children. These included educational campaigns focusing on children in school; healthier vending machines in schools; and new restrictions on developing fast-food outlets near schools. Meanwhile, just under half (47.3%) think portion sizes in restaurants and fast-food outlets should be restricted as a measure to address obesity.

The research also reveals that 80% of people recognise that obesity poses a serious public health challenge. Previous safefood research had estimated that overweight and obesity was costing the island’s economy approximately €1.6 billion per year in direct and indirect costs.

1 in 5 primary school children in Ireland have overweight or obesity. Among adults, 60% live with overweight (37%) or obesity (23%).

The research coincided with the All-Island Obesity Action Forum hosted in Belfast by safefood in partnership with the Departments of Health in both Ireland and Northern Ireland The event brings together leading experts from the United Kingdom and the island of Ireland to explore a range of policy approaches to address overweight and obesity, and public support for such policies.

Dr Aileen McGloin, Director of Nutrition with safefood, said: “Overweight and obesity are the most serious long-term public health issues we face and tackling them poses complex challenges for policy makers, society and the Irish economy.

“People are becoming more and more aware of these rising rates of overweight and obesity. Our research shows the public is ready for a range of policies for children and adults to address this and benefit them.

“There’s already strong work happening at a policy level in Ireland. Of note is the establishment of nutritional standards in pre-school settings, the introduction of the sugar sweetened drinks tax and work in food reformulation. By identifying those policies that have strong public backing, we can better support and empower people to make healthier food and lifestyle choices. This has the potential to create lifelong, sustainable changes which can benefit current and future generations, our society and the economy in Ireland.”

The safefood research demonstrated high levels of public support for government-led policies aimed at tackling childhood obesity, with over two-thirds backing the ban of vending machines with unhealthy snacks and drinks in schools (77.8%) as well as a majority backing planning restrictions on the opening of fast-food outlets close to schools (66.5%).

Nine in ten respondents also endorsed healthy school meals (91.8% for primary schools and 90.6% for secondary schools), educating children on food prep skills at all schools (91.7%), while 85.3% believe children should receive a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise in school each day.

The research also found that nine out of ten respondents (88.8%) supported policies requiring meals sold or provided at private and public sector workplaces to meet a healthy standard of nutrition.

For more information and to download the report “Public acceptability of policies to address obesity”, visit: www.safefood.net/news.

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HSE lead calls for meal deals to be scrapped amid growing obesity fears

Linda Stewart — Fri, 13 May 2022 11:30:35 +0000

The HSE’s clinical lead on obesity has called for meal deals to be made illegal in order to encourage better food choices.

The calls come after a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found the Covid-19 pandemic prompted a spike in unhealthy eating habits.

Dr Donal O’Shea said Ireland has reached a “tipping point” in the battle against obesity, with Irish people now more likely to be overweight than of a healthy weight.

New figures show 65 per cent of Irish people are now classed as overweight, while the State’s rate of obesity is one of the highest in Europe.

Meal deals, commonly found in supermarkets and filling stations, offer a food/drink bundle at a reduced price, generally including a sandwich, soft drink and a bar of chocolate or packet of crisps.

However, Dr O’Shea said these deals are always focused on unhealthy foods and should be banned.

“The industry have the statistics and they know how to prompt and promote consumption. We just have to be super aware of that and try to resist it,” he told Newstalk.

“Those buy one get one free offers are always around the high fat, high salt, high sugar stuff, never around fruit,” he added.

The WHO report said overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions across Europe, with almost six in 10 Europeans now considered overweight or obese.

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Almost half of UK businesses are unprepared for HFSS legislation

Linda Stewart — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 14:37:46 +0000

New research amongst businesses by GS1 UK has found that almost half feel unprepared for the implementation of HFSS legislation, with 70% unaware that volume promotions will be banned.

The landmark high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) legislation, due to be implemented from 1 October 2022, seeks to curb Britain’s obesity crisis with more than one in three children aged 10 to 11 currently overweight.

It represents one of the most significant challenges the retail industry has ever faced. The new rules are comparable to the restrictions placed on tobacco and alcohol and are set to have a significant impact on manufacturers and retailers of food and drink alike.

Products high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) will be removed from prime locations in stores and volume promotions such as buy-one, get-one-free will be banned.

Restrictions on digital marketing and advertising will also come into effect from 1 January 2023.

But new research amongst businesses by GS1 UK has found that almost half feel unprepared for its upcoming implementation, with 70% unaware that volume promotions will be banned. Alarmingly, 20% of businesses are unaware of the new legislation altogether.

Just one in three have assessed their products ahead of the October deadline, with only 48% reformulating existing products and around one quarter having not even considered it.

It also emerged that just 33% are training staff on the new rules and only 35% are auditing suppliers, showing that there is a lot of work to be done for the whole of the sector to be ready.

Two-thirds of businesses say that more financial support from the government is needed to help them adapt – with 81% saying the new rules will significantly change how they operate.

GS1 UK’s consumer research also found that the legislation may significantly affect the way people shop, given that over half currently purchase HFSS products regularly.

However, 68% of shoppers surveyed agree with the new legislation and nearly half say it will help them think more about which products they buy.

51% say they would be less likely to buy HFSS products if they were less visible in stores, and a quarter would buy less if they were only available at full price.

53% say they would miss ‘buy one, get one free’ offers on HFSS items. This is put into sharp focus as 85% are changing how they shop to reduce grocery bills in 2022.

With 66% of businesses and 68% of shoppers agreeing on the need for regulation to curb unhealthy eating – GS1 UK’s research suggests that unpreparedness largely stems from a lack of awareness and access to trusted data.

As a result, GS1 UK has joined forces with the UK retail industry to launch a HFSS solution as an extension to its productDNA platform. Approximately 75% of UK grocery retailers are now using the product data sharing service including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Partners, Ocado, ASDA and Morrisons.

The offering is free to all suppliers and manufacturers, enabling a common approach for the capture and sharing of quality data to support compliance with the new legislation.

Anne Godfrey, CEO of GS1 UK said: “The HFSS legislation represents a seismic shift for businesses across the UK and many of our 57,000 members will be affected.

“Whilst our research reveals that businesses and consumers are aligned on the benefits the changes can bring, the findings show there is much more to be done if the sentiment of the legislation is to become a reality.

“Many businesses feel overwhelmed with the challenges they have faced over the last two years, but there is no doubt that the industry, now more than ever, needs to take a standardisedapproach for the collection of quality data if they are to adapt quickly and confidently to new legislation and growing consumer demand.”

Professor Tim Lang, Professor Emeritus of Food Policy at City University of London’s Centre for Food Policy commented on the research, saying: “It’s worrying to see that businesses across the food and drink industry do not feel prepared for the upcoming changes in legislation. Whilst the changes will no doubt affect how countless businesses operate, the new legislation is a crucial step toward solving issues around public health. It is however, encouraging to see support for the introduction of the new rules amongst both the industry and the general public.”

Sonia Pombo, Campaign Manager for Action on Salt also shared her thoughts on the new research, saying: “Placing restrictions on unhealthy food promotions in-store is one way of helping to transform our food system and save lives. Rebalancing the cost of producing healthier vs less healthy foods will drive further innovation and recipe improvements, to build a healthier, more equitable nation. The food industry should fully understand their influence and direct responsibility.”

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