Consumer International has highlighted the need for action against childhood obesity, the result of the present "junk food generation", ahead of World Consumer Rights Day on Saturday.
The international NGO, which has 220 member organisations in 115 countries, has used the occasion to call on the World Health Organisation to introduce an international code on the marketing of unhealthy food to children.
Junk food is a major cause of heart diseases, diabetes and some cancers, which are increasing epidemically, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. About 22 million children around the globe under the age of five are obese or overweight.
The Heart Foundation has estimated that 17 percent of South African children are overweight owing to unhealthy eating habits, as a result of parents being too busy to cook and a more sedentary lifestyle.
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A WHO report entitled Marketing of Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages to Children has shown that the advertising to children of food high in saturated fat, transfatty acids, sugars and salt has a direct impact on the demand and consumption of these unhealthy foods by children.
Health department assistant director of food control Antoinette Booyzen said yesterday that the department was busy with the administration involved in implementing the proposed new food labelling regulations under the Foodstuffs Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act of 1972, which aimed to clamp down on misleading health claims and the marketing of junk food to children.
"It is going to take a number of months before the legislation is implemented," she said. "We received a good response from the industry, we have 102 physical comments and some of the documents are quite heavy in terms of volume. We are now looking at solutions that will work for everyone but that will not dilute our intentions, which is not easy," said Booyzen.
The proposed regulations include banning junk food advertising to children using cartoon characters and giving away free toys with products, and scientific evidence for health claims.
The government's aim is largely in line with an international move towards stopping excessive consumption of fat- and sugar-heavy junk food while encouraging children to eat healthily.
Meanwhile, the trade and industry department's consumer affairs division is hosting a free consumer information exhibition at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Friday and Saturday.
At the exhibition, people will be able to interact with representatives of the National Credit Regulator, the credit information ombudsman, the Credit Bureau Trans Union ITC, the banking and insurance ombudsmen, the human rights commission and the public protector. Hope Clinic will also exhibit and conduct HIV and Aids testing and counselling.
SA National Consumer Union chairperson Lillibeth Moolman challenged business to mark the day by treating customers to smiling, friendly service.
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Mercury on March 14, 2008
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