Obesity survey: clear food labelling needed

10.57.08am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 2nd Feb 2004

The Government has a responsibility to ensure that clear information is available to help people who want to make healthy choices on food, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said today.

Paul Burstow's comments are in response to a poll commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, which finds that most people think the primary responsibility for improving a child's diet should rest with the parents.

Paul Burstow MP said:

"Responsibility over diet and lifestyle should rest with parents, and with children themselves. But it is the Government's responsibility to ensure that clear information is available to help people who want to make healthy choices. Food products should have clear labels, not misleading claims.

"Parents also need to be confident that the meals their children are eating at school are good for them, and that means taking a hard look at whether or not we're investing enough in good nutrition. We spend less per child on school meals than we do on meals for convicted prisoners.

"It is wrong to skimp on tackling the root causes of ill health only to have to spend more on treating the symptoms."