During the last few weeks we have asked readers to send us the questions they want us to put to Melanie Johnson, the minister for public health. Throughout our Junk the Spin campaign we’ve pushed repeatedly for a response to those questions. This week we have it.
Johnson warned us in advance that she would not be able to go into detail ahead of the forthcoming Public Health White Paper. But the brevity of her answer to a question about traffic-light labelling speaks volumes. And when put on the spot over what she thinks of the industry’s actions so far, she is surprisingly expansive.
So, here is what the government wants the industry to do as it tackles the obesity problem. Turn the page to find out the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties’ views of the industry and the nation’s health.
The Grocer: Do you believe that the balance of blame for the nation’s obesity problem lies with the food and drink industry and advertisers rather than consumers? If so, isn’t there a danger of absolving the public of responsibility?
Melanie Johnson: We believe there are roles for all stakeholders in tackling obesity. Although consumers make up their own mind when they choose food to purchase or cook, industry has an influence over and responsibility for the composition and promotion of those foods.
Too many people are eating too much fat, sugar and salt - and one consequence can be obesity. When it comes to diet and health, most say it is a matter of individual or parental responsibility. And of course, individual responsibility is the starting point. We all make choices about what food we eat and how much. However, this does not mean that government, educators, NGOs, local groups, health professionals and others, including industry, have no responsibility.
Would some sort of traffic-light labelling system be helpful to consumers?
A clearer labelling system would be beneficial to consumers.
Is the nation’s health problem really one of good and bad foods - and if it is, aren’t food and drink manufacturers just responding to consumer demand?
The primary cause of increasing obesity is to do with energy balance: people are eating too much for the amount of physical activity they do. The key message is that a healthy, balanced diet combined with physical activity should maintain a healthy weight.
Government recommends that a healthy balanced diet is one that includes a wide variety of foods, is low in fat, and contains plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day) and starchy foods such as potatoes, bread and other cereals. We need to ensure that healthy choices are available and this is where industry has a role.
What do you plan to do about the retailers who failed to submit their revised salt reduction plans by the September deadline? And is the main problem that they aren’t doing enough, that they aren’t doing it quickly enough or that they won’t tell you what it is they are doing?
The FSA is assessing revised and existing plans to see how the planned reductions would affect the public’s salt intake. I intend to meet key retailers, jointly with Sir John Krebs of the FSA, to see what progress can be made. I will continue to urge all industry players to set out their plans to achieve the reductions we need for the nation’s health.
We need to make substantial progress on salt to address high blood pressure. Research shows that at least 35,000 deaths from strokes and heart attacks in the UK could be prevented each year if we reduced our salt intake from the current 10g a day to the recommended 6g a day. It is estimated that even an immediate cut of 10% would reduce salt intake in the UK population on average by 1g per day per person and save 5,800 lives over the next year - 16 people each day of the year.
Salt intakes in the population are too high and as 75% of salt in the diet comes from processed foods, we need industry to make further and significant reductions in order to help people meet the recommended intake. Progress is being made in some areas, but we need action across the board.
Do you think retailers are lagging behind manufacturers on the salt issue? What about in the wider health arena?
I would encourage retailers and manufacturers to work together. Some retailers have been proactive but, again, we need action across the board. As regards the wider health arena: many retailers and manufacturers play a valuable role in providing healthier product ranges as well as information and advice to consumers.
However, it is important that advice is consistent. The 5-a-day programme has effectively provided a consistent message for the industry to give consumers and everyone is working to standard portion sizes.
Do you believe the industry has exaggerated the negative commercial impact of meeting the government’s objectives?
Most companies and organisations I have spoken to support the need to reduce salt. They do not want to alienate consumers by changing tastes too quickly, but we know significant reductions can be achieved without adverse consumer reaction through incremental reductions. It is important that action is taken across the board so consumers benefit from a gradual reduction in salt intakes regardless of brands they buy.
Your recent chastisement of the industry is at odds with the collaborative approach from the FSA. Are you worried that such a strong line may lose you the confidence of the food chain?
As the minister with responsibility for public health, I am keen to ensure progress is achieved and, where benefits can be accrued as a result of industry taking action, then I will continue to highlight these opportunities. Both Sir John and I welcome industry efforts so far and appreciate the commitment to our objective. Until we have assessed the further salt reduction plans we will not know whether the efforts underway would be sufficient to provide the necessary reduction in salt intake. We do recognise it is important to work together to meet this goal.
Where do you see the division of responsibility between the DoH and the FSA on food and health policy development, planning and execution?
The responsibility for nutrition is shared by FSA and the DoH. The FSA has specific responsibilities, eg food labelling and health and nutritional claims and to commission research. The DoH does too, such as the wider public health policy issues of nutrition. Links between diet and health, where nutritional status is one of a number of risk factors, will remain with the DoH. Responsibility is joint in defining nutritional health education messages.
You have threatened legislation, but surely UK legislators are powerless in the health debate and this should be, and is, decided at EU level?
Labelling legislation is decided at EU level but much can be done by voluntary agreement and government policy. After the Choosing Health? consultation we will consider options as part of the White Paper.
You have suggested you favour a ban on advertising children’s food. Is this still your stance and why?
In the Choosing Health? consultation we asked whether the rules should be changed on what is advertised on TV, in newspapers and magazines and through promotions. We are considering the responses.
What steps would you take to improve consumer understanding of 5-a-day?
A three-year, 5-a-day communications strategy is being delivered through the Central Office of Information. The strategy includes television and radio filler advertising, a website, PR including advertorials and printed materials tailored to target audiences. “What counts” and portion sizes to help consumers understand the 5-a-day message are emphasised plus ways to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into their diet and raise consumption frequency.
Tessa Jowell has asked the food industry to fund a blind trust to advertise the benefits of healthy eating. What would this entail?
The idea of a trust to promote healthy lifestyles was discussed with the industry and within government. We are keen to involve them as much as possible in such ideas, but there has been no final decision.
What role should retailers and manufacturers play in improving the nation’s health?
There are roles for a range of stakeholders in tackling obesity. Industry can help consumers to make healthier choices by, for example, reducing salt, fat and sugar in the diet, increasing both the range of healthier products and the ways to consume five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and by clear provision of information.Analysis
Johnson warned us in advance that she would not be able to go into detail ahead of the forthcoming Public Health White Paper. But the brevity of her answer to a question about traffic-light labelling speaks volumes. And when put on the spot over what she thinks of the industry’s actions so far, she is surprisingly expansive.
So, here is what the government wants the industry to do as it tackles the obesity problem. Turn the page to find out the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties’ views of the industry and the nation’s health.
The Grocer: Do you believe that the balance of blame for the nation’s obesity problem lies with the food and drink industry and advertisers rather than consumers? If so, isn’t there a danger of absolving the public of responsibility?
Melanie Johnson: We believe there are roles for all stakeholders in tackling obesity. Although consumers make up their own mind when they choose food to purchase or cook, industry has an influence over and responsibility for the composition and promotion of those foods.
Too many people are eating too much fat, sugar and salt - and one consequence can be obesity. When it comes to diet and health, most say it is a matter of individual or parental responsibility. And of course, individual responsibility is the starting point. We all make choices about what food we eat and how much. However, this does not mean that government, educators, NGOs, local groups, health professionals and others, including industry, have no responsibility.
Would some sort of traffic-light labelling system be helpful to consumers?
A clearer labelling system would be beneficial to consumers.
Is the nation’s health problem really one of good and bad foods - and if it is, aren’t food and drink manufacturers just responding to consumer demand?
The primary cause of increasing obesity is to do with energy balance: people are eating too much for the amount of physical activity they do. The key message is that a healthy, balanced diet combined with physical activity should maintain a healthy weight.
Government recommends that a healthy balanced diet is one that includes a wide variety of foods, is low in fat, and contains plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day) and starchy foods such as potatoes, bread and other cereals. We need to ensure that healthy choices are available and this is where industry has a role.
What do you plan to do about the retailers who failed to submit their revised salt reduction plans by the September deadline? And is the main problem that they aren’t doing enough, that they aren’t doing it quickly enough or that they won’t tell you what it is they are doing?
The FSA is assessing revised and existing plans to see how the planned reductions would affect the public’s salt intake. I intend to meet key retailers, jointly with Sir John Krebs of the FSA, to see what progress can be made. I will continue to urge all industry players to set out their plans to achieve the reductions we need for the nation’s health.
We need to make substantial progress on salt to address high blood pressure. Research shows that at least 35,000 deaths from strokes and heart attacks in the UK could be prevented each year if we reduced our salt intake from the current 10g a day to the recommended 6g a day. It is estimated that even an immediate cut of 10% would reduce salt intake in the UK population on average by 1g per day per person and save 5,800 lives over the next year - 16 people each day of the year.
Salt intakes in the population are too high and as 75% of salt in the diet comes from processed foods, we need industry to make further and significant reductions in order to help people meet the recommended intake. Progress is being made in some areas, but we need action across the board.
Do you think retailers are lagging behind manufacturers on the salt issue? What about in the wider health arena?
I would encourage retailers and manufacturers to work together. Some retailers have been proactive but, again, we need action across the board. As regards the wider health arena: many retailers and manufacturers play a valuable role in providing healthier product ranges as well as information and advice to consumers.
However, it is important that advice is consistent. The 5-a-day programme has effectively provided a consistent message for the industry to give consumers and everyone is working to standard portion sizes.
Do you believe the industry has exaggerated the negative commercial impact of meeting the government’s objectives?
Most companies and organisations I have spoken to support the need to reduce salt. They do not want to alienate consumers by changing tastes too quickly, but we know significant reductions can be achieved without adverse consumer reaction through incremental reductions. It is important that action is taken across the board so consumers benefit from a gradual reduction in salt intakes regardless of brands they buy.
Your recent chastisement of the industry is at odds with the collaborative approach from the FSA. Are you worried that such a strong line may lose you the confidence of the food chain?
As the minister with responsibility for public health, I am keen to ensure progress is achieved and, where benefits can be accrued as a result of industry taking action, then I will continue to highlight these opportunities. Both Sir John and I welcome industry efforts so far and appreciate the commitment to our objective. Until we have assessed the further salt reduction plans we will not know whether the efforts underway would be sufficient to provide the necessary reduction in salt intake. We do recognise it is important to work together to meet this goal.
Where do you see the division of responsibility between the DoH and the FSA on food and health policy development, planning and execution?
The responsibility for nutrition is shared by FSA and the DoH. The FSA has specific responsibilities, eg food labelling and health and nutritional claims and to commission research. The DoH does too, such as the wider public health policy issues of nutrition. Links between diet and health, where nutritional status is one of a number of risk factors, will remain with the DoH. Responsibility is joint in defining nutritional health education messages.
You have threatened legislation, but surely UK legislators are powerless in the health debate and this should be, and is, decided at EU level?
Labelling legislation is decided at EU level but much can be done by voluntary agreement and government policy. After the Choosing Health? consultation we will consider options as part of the White Paper.
You have suggested you favour a ban on advertising children’s food. Is this still your stance and why?
In the Choosing Health? consultation we asked whether the rules should be changed on what is advertised on TV, in newspapers and magazines and through promotions. We are considering the responses.
What steps would you take to improve consumer understanding of 5-a-day?
A three-year, 5-a-day communications strategy is being delivered through the Central Office of Information. The strategy includes television and radio filler advertising, a website, PR including advertorials and printed materials tailored to target audiences. “What counts” and portion sizes to help consumers understand the 5-a-day message are emphasised plus ways to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into their diet and raise consumption frequency.
Tessa Jowell has asked the food industry to fund a blind trust to advertise the benefits of healthy eating. What would this entail?
The idea of a trust to promote healthy lifestyles was discussed with the industry and within government. We are keen to involve them as much as possible in such ideas, but there has been no final decision.
What role should retailers and manufacturers play in improving the nation’s health?
There are roles for a range of stakeholders in tackling obesity. Industry can help consumers to make healthier choices by, for example, reducing salt, fat and sugar in the diet, increasing both the range of healthier products and the ways to consume five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and by clear provision of information.Analysis
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