Scottish diet must change
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- Published: Thursday, 17 December 2015 07:41
- Written by News Editor
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Food Standards Scotland has issued a report which makes the case for reducing the consumption of discretionary foods and drinks, which are high in calories and low in nutritional value, to make significant and measurable improvements to diet and health. The British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed this reminder of the urgent need to curb our addiction to sugar which accounts for nearly a third of primary 1 children having tooth decay.
Discretionary foods are items of food and drink that are high in calories and low in nutritional value, they include, biscuits, cakes, confectionery, savoury snacks and sugar-sweetened drinks. Food Standards Scotland says it is clear that there is not one single, simple solution to improve dietary intakes in and there is a need for collective action from consumers, the food and drink industry, media and government to address the problem if Scotland is to realise the vision of a healthier more prosperous nation.
The BDA has led calls for radical action to reduce the nation's sugar intake, with measures ranging from lowering the recommended daily allowance and reformulating convenience foods, through to action on marketing, labelling and sales taxes. Colwyn Jones, consultant in dental public health and member of the British Dental Association's Scottish Council, said: “Scotland, like the rest of Britain, is addicted to sugar, and we are all paying the price. Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions among young children. The BDA believes the government has a clear duty to send the strongest possible signal to retailers and the food industry in general, that while added sugar might be helping their sales, it is hurting their customers.”
He continued: “The new report provides us with yet another reminder of how our diets are making us ill and how consuming sugary and high-fat foods has become the norm rather than an occasional treat. The urge to resist change may be strong, but solutions can be found when consumers, the food and drink industry, media and government all work together.”
The report can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/zuul7ut
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