Retailers ‘part of the problem’ on sugar says Food Standards expert

Pressure continues to mount on confectionery suppliers and retailers as regulators, politicians, health associations and academics call for action against sugar-rich products.

Following Food Standards Scotland calling for an expansion of the sugar tax last week, the British Medical Association is set to vote on a motion calling for warnings on high sugar goods aimed at children.

Co-author of Food Standards Scotland’s report Professor Leigh Sparks added: “Retailing is part of the problem, but could be a major part of the solution.”

Anish Parekh from Broadoak Post Office in Manchester commented: “To whose benefit is this for? Everyone knows that confectionery is a treat which if eaten too much is bad for your health.”

FSS’s suggested sugar tax expansion would include a food and drinks taxation system aiming to reduce fat, salt and sugar content, and portion sizes. It also called for limitations of unhealthy retail promotions.

Demands by groups like this lead to claims that ‘sugar is the new tobacco’, but the BMA’s motion is the clearest comparison yet, with Dr Latifa Patel, who proposed the sugar warnings on confectionery stating: “We are hoping for the same sort of affect that warnings on cigarette packets have had on smoking.”

The Food & Drink Federation refused to comment on the latest legislative suggestions, but their corporate affairs director Tim Rycroft previously told BakeryandSnacks: “The idea that our food and drink is so harmful that it should be subjected to fiscal measures is a big public policy step.”