CYP Now - Opinion: Debate - Should chocolate bar wrappers carry healthwarnings?

Chocolate and sweet manufacturers have announced plans to put health messages on their wrappers in response to concerns about the levels of child obesity in the UK, which are now the fastest growing in the European Union.

NO - Purnima Tanuku, chief executive, National Day NurseriesAssociation

But there is a need for clear information on food packaging. We wouldwant to see packaging stating ingredients as a percentage of recommendeddaily allowances and a ban on adverts that push unhealthy products tochildren. The National Day Nurseries Association has been campaigningfor some time on healthy eating for children. In 2005 we added oursupport to the Children's Food Bill and we recently joined forces withthe Stop The Rot campaign for nurseries.

YES - Paul Lincoln, chief executive, National Heart Forum

Chocolate bars should contain easy-to-interpret health warnings andguidance to eat chocolate in small portions as a very occasional snack,which is in contrast to the complicated format used by Cadbury's andMasterfoods. The UK has the fastest growing rate of childhood obesity inthe EU. The good news is that the food industry is beginning to dosomething. The bad news is that the labelling scheme adopted is not theone that Food Standards Agency research shows to be the mosteffective.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included