Forty health and child organisations have urged the government to take immediate action to protect babies and young children from harmful food and drink products, as polling reveals 75 per cent of Brits would support a ban on high sugar baby and toddler food.
The organisations have written to the secretary of state for health and social care following the publication of the research, featured in the BBC Panorama investigation ‘The truth about baby food pouches’. The episode exposed the powerful grip of the food industry on children's health.
The coalition has warned of a ‘worsening health crisis’ – with government data showing more children shifting from a healthy weight to overweight or obesity between reception and year six than the reverse, particularly in the most deprived areas.
The Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) has raised concerns that, without urgent action, today's children could grow up facing worse health outcomes than their parents. The alliance has called for stronger regulation of the commercial baby food sector, including:
- Mandatory limits for sugar in baby and toddler foods
- End unnecessary follow-on formula milks
- Clearer, more responsible marketing and labelling
According to the coalition, parents of babies and toddlers are frequently targeted with marketing for ultra-processed drinks and food that are labelled as ‘healthy’, even though they’re often high in sugar and low in nutritional value.
Despite recent progress (including restrictions on junk food advertising on TV before 9pm), the alliance has said these measures don’t go far enough. With three-quarters of the country demanding action, the OHA has urged ministers to put children’s health above corporate profit and deliver on the promise of creating the healthiest generation of children ever.
Katharine Jenner, director of the obesity health alliance, said, “The evidence is clear: children's health is being compromised from the very start of life. Given industry has failed to act voluntarily, it’s now time for government intervention to protect the next generation and grant every child a healthier start.
“From the moment they’re born, babies are bombarded with sugary, highly processed foods. It’s fuelling a health crisis that starts in infancy and is almost impossible to undo later in life. Ignoring the issue is no longer an option.”
References available on request.