Weigh It Up!

The Grocer has launched a campaign calling for an urgent review of the 'Nutrient Profiling Model'. We believe this is scientifically flawed, as a number of healthy, natural and nutritious foods including raisins, honey, Bran Flakes, Marmite and cheese are classified as 'junk food'; while chicken nuggets, diet colas, plain white bread, oven chips and other products with little or no nutritional value are not.

So why does this matter? All products that 'fail' this 'junk food' test are banned from advertising on TV programmes that are viewed by a significant number of children. This test may also be used to prevent manufacturers from making any health claims at all, whether to children or adults, whether on-pack or on telly.

As well as hitting manufacturers of healthy, natural products (others include olive oil, tomato ketchup, low-fat spreads and strawberry jam), it may also affect the health of children, with children and parents encouraged to make poor dietary choices as a result of the ban.

Our campaign, called Weigh It Up!, will highlight the absurdities of the Nutrient Profiling Model, and calls on Ofcom, the media regulator, to review its use in the banning of junk food promotion.

How to take action:

You can find out more about our campaign, and find out who's supporting us so far, with the links below. But we also need your support. If you believe the Nutrient Profiling Model is wrong, here's what you can do:

  1. Write to Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards.
    You can use the letter here if it helps. Ofcom is the media regulator that's set up the new ban.
  2. Write to your MP
    (to find out how see www.writetothem.co.uk)
  3. If you haven't already done so, take part in our survey (see right).
  4. Email your views to weighitup@thegrocer.co.uk

People backing us:

  1. Giles Coren, The Times restaurant critic
  2. Raymond Blanc, chef and restaurateur
  3. Kevin Gould, food writer
  4. Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health
  5. Philip Davies, MP for Shipley
  6. Nigel Barden, food critic and author
  7. Paul Hartley, author of The Marmite Cookbook
  8. Zef Eisenberg, founder of the nutrition company Maximuscle
  9. Gillian McKeith, nutritionist and TV presenter
  10. Verner Wheelock, nutritionist
  11. Paul Hayes, Chef
  12. Sarah Jarvis, Radio 2 and TV doctor
  13. Dr Chris Steele, This Morning’s resident doctor
  14. Asda
  15. Nisa Today’s
  16. Bestway Cash & Carry
  17. Booker
  18. Palmer & Harvey McLane, wholesaler
  19. Mills Group
  20. Innocent Smoothies
  21. The Food Doctor
  22. Kellogg

More Information

  1. About our campaign
  2. Weigh it up!
  3. Asda weighs in for fight
  4. Fury as teens get pulled in
  5. Ad ban concerns mount
  6. Get a sense of proportion
  7. From fat to fighting fit
  8. Cereal Killers
  9. The thin edge of the wedge
  10. A healthier way to score food
  11. The which hunt

The Grocer this week

Poll

The Competition Commission believes UK retailers are, in many respects, delivering a good deal for consumers. Has the inquiry had a positive impact on the UK grocery sector?

  • Yes

  • No

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