Dental Association praises Naenae community market for sugary drink stance
The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) is applauding the Naenae community market in Lower Hutt for their approach to
sugary drinks.
The council-backed market decided to discourage junk food and sugary drinks.
NZDA says this type of leadership is commendable.
“Some of the progress that is needed to combat the harm sugary drinks cause, does need to come from the community
level,” said NZDA sugary drinks spokesperson Dr Donna Kennedy.
“NZDA has acknowledged action is required at Central and Local Government levels, but that is not the only way to get
there. Combating sugary drinks requires a wide-range of solutions.
“We support this leadership shown in the Naenae community, in fact we hope it serves as a reminder for councils to bring
in ‘water only’ policies at their facilities and events,” says Dr Kennedy.
A consortium of public health groups is backing a NZDA-led 7-point Consensus Statement on Sugary Drinks.
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Notes to editors:
The seven actions are;
1) Introducing an icon on drinks indicating, in teaspoons, the amount of sugar in each drink.
2) Independent monitoring and evaluation of food marketing, with an emphasis on marketing that influences children.
3) Urging the government to adopt WHO limit guidelines on sugar.
4) Encouraging public to switch to water by; introducing warning labels highlighting sugary drinks as risk factors for
obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, and a nationwide social marketing campaigns such as ‘Switch to Water’.
5) Working with schools and the Ministry of Education to introduce ‘water only’ policies.
6) Introducing local council ‘water only’ policies at council facilities and events.
7) Introduction of a ‘sugary drinks’ tax in line with WHO recommendations.
The Consensus Statement is endorsed by; Activity and Nutrition Aotearoa (ANA), Association of Salaried Medical
Specialists, Cancer Society of New Zealand, Diabetes New Zealand, Hapai Te Hauora, NZ Dental & Oral Health Therapists Association, NZ Branch of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, NZ
Society of Hospital and Community Dentistry, Te Ao Marama, The Heart Foundation, The Public Health Association, The
Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
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