INDEPENDENT NEWS

Outlawing 'Unhealthy' Food is Ridiculous

Published: Thu 24 Apr 2003 10:44 AM
Outlawing 'Unhealthy' Food is Ridiculous
Making it illegal to sell `unhealthy' food to children is ridiculous, ACT New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy said today.
"The suggestion in a Ministry of Health discussion document is completely loopy. We should be delivering a message of moderation, not turning parents into pariahs for giving their children a fast food treat once in a while.
"Banning the sale of `unhealthy' food within a 1km radius of schools would be unenforceable. Imagine the effect on small towns - will dairies and bakeries be forced to move a kilometre into the countryside in order to carry on their legitimate business?
"This Government's answer to any problem is to impose its morals on everybody. Labour already plans to outlaw smoking in restaurants and bars. Where will all of this end?
"What we need is some common sense. Education is what is needed, not authoritarian bans," Mrs Roy said.

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