The increasing numbers of obese in the UK and growing pressure on the health service, unable to cope with the costs of chronic disease, has forced the UK government to recognize the potential of preventative measures such as a good diet.
According to the "white paper" bill, there will be clear targets set and monitored every six months, we will see new legislation, new regulation, new mobilisation of resources, and real results. For the first time the NHS will become a national health service instead of a national sickness service.
The guidelines are set to have a major impact on the food industry, increasingly being held responsible for obesity and obesity-related disease.
The bill includes plans to introduce a ban on all television advertising for 'junk foods' targeted at children and changes to the way food products are labelled. It proposes for example a 'traffic light' labelling system that identifies unhealthy foods with a red label, nutritious but high-fat foods, such as cheese, with an orange label and healthy choices with green.
The bill also aims to increase the average fruit and vegetable consumption to five portions a day, from the current 2.8 portions, and up fibre intake to 18 grams per day. Salt, saturated fat and added sugar must in turn be reduced.
Bonnie - Our government just nixed the idea of banning junk food advertising to children. This should be one of the pillars to change the paradigm in this country.
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