Minister slams FSA satfat campaign for lacking in balance

The Food Standards Agency has come under attack again this week. Not from an angry food producer this time, but from the very body that created it – the Government.

Farming minister Jane Kennedy slammed the FSA’s saturated fat awareness campaign for sending out a negative message about consumption of dairy products, and even questioned the agency’s overall performance.

Kennedy told this week’s NFU conference the tone of the campaign was disappointing, and argued that there should be more emphasis on eating less and having a sensible diet. She advocated a more balanced approach during her term in office.

The FSA satfat campaign advises shoppers to switch to lower-fat dairy products, a move that has upset a number of dairy producers.

But Kennedy argued shoppers should still be allowed to choose good quality full-fat cheese and milk if they prefer its taste. “I am sometimes really disappointed with some of the agencies we rely upon to give us advice on these matters,” she said.

Although Kennedy acknowledged obesity was a major problem in Britain, she stressed that consumers should simply eat less, rather that making a wholesale switch in their diets. “We as a nation are almost schizophrenic in our attitude to food,” she added.

Kennedy’s stance has won her widespread support from the dairy industry and other corners of the grocery market.

“She is quite right to say healthy diets can include full-fat dairy products,” said Dairy UK director general Jim Begg. “Foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are nutrient-dense and contain a wealth of vital vitamins and minerals.

“Jane arrived on the scene at Defra very recently and has already demonstrated her enthusiasm for the dairy sector and the great tasting foods it produces. We applaud her positive attitude and look forward to working with her.”

Begg added that the satfat campaign was flawed as it focused solely on ‘negative’ nutrients and could be misinterpreted by consumers. “Dairy UK maintains that messages about balanced diets are more effective in the long run, such as the FSA’s Eatwell Plate.”

Another representative of a major industry trade body praised Kennedy for “sticking to her guns and not toeing the party line”.

The FSA rejected the criticism, claiming the satfat campaign had received widespread support from both the Government and the food industry.

“The campaign promotes a balanced diet and focuses on how people can reduce their risk of heart disease by reducing saturated fat intakes,” said a spokeswoman. “It’s about making simple swaps and is not about cutting anything out of our diets completely.”