Campaigning for Safer, Healthier Food for All
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FM73_8.qxd 12/05/2006 22:40 Page 1 The low-carb, high-protein solution for smooth skin and advanced brain power! The FOODFOOD MAGAZINEMAGAZINE Campaigning for safer, healthier food for all Published by The Food Commission Issue 73 Apr/Jun 2006 £4.95 OfcomOfcom renegesreneges onon childchild healthhealth fcom, the broadcasting regulator, has given a chance to support this under Ofcom's Alliance, reports that an earlier coalition against reneged on a government commitment flimsy set of options. junk food advertising was involved with a lobby O to protecting children from junk food This breath-taking omission comes at a time of Ofcom's predecessor, the Independent advertising, flouting the wishes of the majority of when in other food sectors, momentum is Television Commission, back in the 1990s. parents; snubbing the consensus opinion of beginning to grow for improved nutrition and Momentum and public concern built over the public health professionals; wasting countless protection of children from other forms of following decade until, at the time of Ofcom's hours of parliamentary and civil servant time; and unhealthy marketing. commission to review advertising options in broken apparent promises by government to 2003, children's nutrition was rarely out of the regulate junk food advertising to children. Decades of debate papers. The Food Commission's Parents Jury Under its regulatory principles, Ofcom says Vast amounts of parliamentary time and public was passing its judgements on junk food and that it 'will intervene where there is a specific effort had already been put into investigating the junk marketing practices. The Children's Food Bill statutory duty to work towards a public policy effects of advertising on children's attitudes to campaign was getting in full swing. The House of goal which markets alone cannot achieve'. In food and food choices. The debates have run for Commons Select Committee on Obesity was 2003, it was charged with investigating how to nigh on 20 years. Jeanette Longfield of Sustain, hearing incredible protestations of innocence achieve the public policy goal of improving formerly coordinator of the National Food from junk food manufacturers and marketers. children's diets and attitudes towards food 2003 also saw publication of the seminal choices, in an area in which it is quite clear that 'Hastings Review', the first systematic unregulated markets alone cannot achieve public review of evidence for the effects of objectives: junk food advertising. The review was marketing on children's diets and put forward amongst a suite of measures by the food preferences. Department of Health (many of them reported in Yet despite its stated aim 'to further this issue of the Food Magazine, with happier the interests of citizens in relation to results), to promote healthier food and to curb communications matters', Ofcom has the influence of unhealthy food promotion. Speci- decided to side with the industry. We have fically, Ofcom was asked to look into options for complained. Our colleagues in the Children's how food advertising could be regulated to Food Bill have complained. As we go to press, a protect children from unhealthy messages. legal challenge to Ofcom's decision to exclude Media headlines at the time reassured parents the 9pm watershed option from the consultation and concerned health professionals: 'Junk food is being considered by the National Heart Forum ads banned to fight fat epidemic'. on behalf of public health professionals. Ofcom’s Over two years after being given this task, initial response has been to say that it believes it and extensive consultation (which we contend has followed all necessary procedures. has been shown to be a charade), Ofcom has at One thing is certain. Ofcom will have a fight on last published its options. But the one option that its hands if it thinks it can get away with watered had backing from the vast majority of public down options for the future of children's health. health organisations is not even on the table for discussion. The broad coalition of support for a ban on junk food advertising for children has See pages 12 and 13 for further analysis stated quite clearly: The only option that they of Ofcom's options. To add your voice to would support is a ban on junk food advertising “We have deep pockets gentlemen, the call for Ofcom to review its position, up to the 9pm watershed. But they will not be and Ofcom's in one of them!” see: www.childrensfoodbill.org.uk Get the facts with the Food Magazine FM73_8.qxd 12/05/2006 22:40 Page 2 editorial contents Government suspends health lifeline News Ofcom reneges on child health 1 The ethics of sausages and soap 5 he growing crisis in NHS budgets has made national headlines, with Methyl bromide still in use 7 The Food Magazine is published quarterly cuts in staff and threatened hospital closures around the country. Neurotoxic additives challenged 7 by The Food Commission, a national not- T These are outward warnings of a need for a tightening of belts, and School Food Trust challenged 9 for-profit organisation campaigning for the restrictions in what the NHS can deliver for patients. Lean times are ahead. right to safe, wholesome food. We rely The financial crisis has also sent ominous ripples through the network Nutrition entirely on our supporters, allowing us to of not-for-profit organisations that increasingly provide primary services, Disney fails to ban junk food 3 be completely independent, taking no disease-prevention activities and public information campaigns to improve FSA retreats from salt battle 4 subsidy from the government, the food the nation’s health. Uniquely, they provide a friendly and trustworthy route Nutrigenomics gets personal 4 industry or advertising. We aim to provide to raising public awareness and changing behaviour – seemingly impossible WH Smith pushes calories 13 independently researched information on challenges for government. Many of these organisations receive contracts Confectioners opt for GDA logo 14 the food we eat to ensure good quality and grants from the Department of Health; some rely on this funding. food for all. Such publicly funded activities are feeling the aftershock of the NHS GM financial crisis. Over 300 health organisations have been waiting since the Unlabelled GM soya in foods 3 The Food Commission Research Charity beginning of January to find out if funding bids to the Department of Health Poland rejects GM 3 aims to relieve ill health and advance have been successful. As we go to press, there is some indication that public education through research, standing commitments will be honoured; but decisions on future Section Food safety education and the promotion of better Tackling benzene in drinks 18-19 64 Grants have been delayed, with no indication of when the situation quality food. How climate change increases might change. The language may seem obscure, but the meaning is all too food poisoning risk 6 real. Disease prevention activities funded by the public purse should now, Director: Tim Lobstein Aspartame test for regulators 8 officially, be put on hold. Section 64 is a Department of Health grants Policy Officer: Kath Dalmeny programme introduced in 1968 ‘to help voluntary organisations whose Office Manager: Ian Tokelove Marketing Administrative Officer: Graham Hood work supports the Government’s health and social care goals’. Legal, decent, honest and true? 10 Cartoons: Ben Nash As well as providing health services and public information, the job of ASA fails to defend fruit 11 the not-for-profit, non-governmental health sector is also to keep up Regulator bows to industry 12-13 Trustees and Advisors: Joanna Blythman, pressure on government and industry to ensure that positive steps are Manipulated desire 15 Dr Eric Brunner, Peta Cottee, Prof Michael taken to improve public health and environmental policy. Such work involves Crawford, Sue Dibb, Alan Gear, Vicki Hird, monitoring, advocacy, work with journalists and the media, drafting policy Science Dr Mike Joffe, Robin Jenkins, Jane Landon, proposals, innovative research, national and international networking and Is science for sale? 16-17 Prof Tim Lang, Iona Lidington, Dr Alan Long, alliance-building, and even direct creation of public policy, such as drafting What the doctor reads 20-21 Jeanette Longfield, Diane McCrae, Prof Erik legislation and drumming up political support to see it through into law. Millstone, Dr Mike Nelson, Dr Mike Rayner, Sadly, it is all too easy for funders to feel that food and health are Books Prof Aubrey Sheiham, Sue Todd, Colin matters of individual choice, and therefore not worthy of public or Recommended reads 21 Tudge, Hugh Warwick, Simon Wright. charitable money spent trying to change the system. Yet support for such activities is vital, especially in light of an all-too-apparent government bias Feedback Issue 73 of the Food Magazine towards deregulation and ‘voluntary codes of practice’. A dip into our mailbag 22-23 April/June 2006. ISSN 0953-5047 The Food Commission does not accept money from government for its Typesetting and design by Ian Tokelove campaigns and policy work (and neither from the food industry). But still, Marketplace of the Food Commission. Subscriptions and posters 23 we are already feeling the tremors of the NHS budget crisis. Cutbacks Printed on recycled paper by RapSpider mean not only fewer hospital beds. Suspension of Section 64 grants will web, Oldham OL9 7LY. Backbites remove a foundation stone from public health campaign work. Retail distribution (sale or return) by On the lighter side... 24 Whilst the Food Commission will not lose out directly to suspended or Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London reduced funds from the Department of Health, many of our close E9 5LN. 0845 458 9911.