Food companies are using “sinister tactics” to encourage children to eat unhealthy snacks.
More than three in four products with youth-friendly packaging are high in fat, sugar or salt, according to campaign body Bite Back.
Britain is “sleepwalking towards a preventable health crisis”, the group says, calling on the Government to restrict unethical marketing to stop the rise in childhood obesity.
It found that the UK’s ten largest food and drink companies sold 262 products with packaging attractive to children; 78 percent of them were classified as unhealthy. These included chips, cereal, ice cream and candy.
TV chef Jamie Oliver, co-founder of Bite Back, said the marketing was aimed squarely at children.
Food companies are using “sinister tactics” to lure children into eating unhealthy snacks, new data reveals (file image)
More than three out of four products with youth-friendly packaging are high in fat, sugar or salt (file image)
“Whether it’s through fun characters, bright images or exciting new shapes, these innovative companies choose them because they know they will capture young minds,” he said.
The Department of Health and Social Care said its sugar reduction program had reduced levels. It planned action on “buy one, get one free” offers and advertising on television and online.
