17 January 2006

Proposed standards not comparing apples with apples

If Food Standards Australia New Zealand want people to eat healthier diets implying that fruit is not healthy is crazy, Green Party says.

"Rather than just considering an arbitrary level of sugar, FSANZ should take into account that foods like fruit are rich sources of vitamins and other nutrients, whereas sugar added to many foods and drinks just provide energy without the other goodness. They are just empty calories."

"For example while Coca-Cola contains 10.9 grams of sugar per 100 grams of the drink, and an apple contains 10.5g of sugar per 100 grams of fruit, the apple also contains vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6 and E.

"We welcome the move to develop a plan to identify healthier food choices, but we are concerned that excluding some fruit because of its sugar content will mean people are missing out on a vital source of vitamins and other nutrients," Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says.

"Virtually every nutritionist in the world urges people to have healthy diets and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables because they are so good for you.

"New Zealand would be an international laughing stock if we go ahead with this daft proposal. FSANZ must develop a standard that takes into account more than just sugar levels, Ms Kedgley says.

ENDS

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