MEP welcomes EU crackdown on exaggerated food health claims (Oswestry Liberal Democrats)

Oswestry Liberal Democrats <info@oswestrylibdems.org.uk>

MEP welcomes EU crackdown on exaggerated food health claims

September 2, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Liz Lynne

Liz Lynne MEP West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has welcomed moves by the European Union to crack down on some of the wilder health claims made by breakfast cereal firms and other food manufacturers.

All new foods that make a health claim will have to be checked for accuracy before they go on sale, under new EU rules. There will also be new legal binding definitions for terms such as 'low fat', 'high fibre' and 'reduces cholesterol'. Claims made on foods that relate to children's health and development, such as 'good for growing teeth and bones', will also be regulated.

Local MEP Liz said: "It's about time we investigated the accuracy of some of the claims made on breakfast cereals and other food products. The research seems to indicate that despite the claims, many breakfast cereals and some other products on our shelves are actually packed full of sugar, salt and fat.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently reviewing around 4,000 claims made by food producers, including cereal manufacturers, and many of the 60 rulings published so far, covering foods such as pro-biotic drinks and yoghurts, have dismissed the alleged health benefits.

The European Commission is also developing a scheme to stop food manufacturers promoting products on the basis of one or two healthy ingredients if other ingredients include "high" levels of sugar, saturated fat or salt.

Research by the Consumer Association magazine Which? found that some 31 cereals out of the 100 best-selling cereals contained more than four teaspoons of sugar per recommended serving - even before any was added at the table. Investigators found a number of other exaggerated claims:

Kellogg's Frosties

Claim: Packed with carbohydrates - a great fuel for your body, and one serving provides half your daily needs of three B-vitamins, which help convert food into the energy you need.

Reality: High in sugar - 37 per cent.

Sugar Puffs

Claim: Helps growth, maintains healthy skin and eyes, and boost the digestive and nervous systems.

Reality: High in sugar - 35 per cent.

Weetos - chocolate covered wheat hoops

Claim: Wholegrain goodness fortified with vitamins and iron.

Reality: High in sugar - 35 per cent.

Kellogg's Special K Yoghurty cereal

Claim: Because it's from Special K you can be sure that it's still less than 3per cent fat.

Reality: High in sugar - 23 per cent.

Kellogg's Bran Flakes

Claim: A simple and wholesome way to help improve the health of your digestive system.