Obesity Report not in step with the times

31 August 2007

Media Release

Food Industry Group

Obesity Report not in step with the times

While the Food Industry Group welcomes The Health Select Committee report into obesity it says many of the recommendations have and are already being dealt with by the Government and food industry.

Vicki Hamilton, Executive Director of the Food Industry Group, said today that the Report was a summary of the scientific discoveries over the past ten years about the complexity of causes of the increase in people being overweight and obese.

But she said much was already being implemented and the Committee did not put into perspective other causes of obesity –such as peoples’ behaviour, culture, genes and lifestyle.

“The Report suggests a collection of ideas that have been well discussed by many groups over the past few years – with many now being used by the Government and the food industry.

“The food industry is already changing the environment with healthier foods and nutritional guidelines in new product development. The industry is spending millions of dollars improving ingredients used in existing products, creating new healthier products, and providing nutrition information. “

She said that through programs such as the Heart Foundation’s tick program which works with industry - 266 tonnes of trans fats have been taken out of margarine, 33 tonnes of salt have gone from breads and cereals, and 68 tonnes of fat from dairy.

Ms Hamilton said there is a huge range of healthy choices and said there is too much concentration on ‘bad’ foods. “For goodness sake it is balanced diets that are important. We all like a piece chocolate cake or biscuit and there is nothing wrong with that.

“Food is one of our base pleasures in life.”

Ms Hamilton said the food industry was only a part of the solution, and the Committee had misjudged the capability and responsibility of the New Zealand public to change themselves.

“Most New Zealanders accept their responsibility for eating better and doing more exercise. They understand the complexities around obesity, including lack of exercise, and the fact that health problems are more prevalent in certain population group.

“We need to put more effort into ensuring at-risk groups get the help they need rather than taking a blanket stance for all New Zealanders.”

The Food Industry Group noted their working relationship with the Government and National Heart Foundation on projects such as a current one which will lower the salt content in a range foods which were high volume but low cost. The Group is also working with Counties Manukau District Health Board on implementing healthier eating patterns in South Auckland.

ENDS

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