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IOL News
03-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
It's time to stop sugarcoating junk food for kids
In the aisles of our supermarkets, children are bombarded with food and beverages high in sugar and saturated fat contained in colourful packaging, often with cartoon characters and misleading health claims. Image: Erik Mclean/Pexels As South Africa marks National Child Protection Week from 29 May to 5 June, the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA), urging the government to adopt stronger measures to safeguard the nutritional wellbeing of the nation's youth. In supermarkets across the country, children are inundated with colourful, eye-catching packaging promoting foods and beverages that are excessively high in sugar and saturated fat. Brightly decorated items adorned with cartoon characters and misleading health claims target young consumers, significantly contributing to the rapid rise in obesity rates. Over the past decade, childhood obesity in South Africa has surged from one in 20 to one in eight children. If current trends continue, by 2031, more than 4 million children aged 5 to 19 could be grappling with obesity-related health issues, positioning South Africa among the top ten countries globally for childhood obesity. 'This is a matter of child protection,' says Zukiswa Zimela, Communications Manager at HEALA. 'Children are particularly vulnerable to packaged foods that are often detrimental to their health. Parents strive to make healthy choices, but without clear, visible warnings on packaging, they are set up to fail. We cannot afford to allow this situation to persist.' In response to this alarming trend, HEALA has called upon the Department of Health to swiftly implement mandatory front-of-package warning labels (FoPWL). These labels would feature simple, discernible icons that alert consumers when a product is high in salt, sugar, or saturated fat, and contains artificial sweeteners. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Countries such as Chile, Mexico, and Argentina have successfully implemented similar measures, yielding positive results in reducing unhealthy food consumption and altering public perceptions of these products. 'The evidence is irrefutable. The World Health Organization endorses front-of-package labels as a vital public health intervention,' asserts Nzama Mbalati, CEO of HEALA. 'Such labels must be mandatory, interpretive, and easy to understand, particularly for those with lower literacy levels, including children. The science is sound, and we are just waiting for the political will to act.' South Africa's draft regulations (R3337) to include these mandatory warning labels were introduced in April 2023; however, they remain unfinalised. Despite significant public demand and escalating health risks, the National Department of Health has not yet acted. As of February 2024, submissions from the public comment period had yet to be reviewed, leading to speculation that food industry interests may be obstructing the legislative process. 'While bureaucratic delays continue, our children are growing increasingly unhealthy,' warns Mbalati. 'They are being conditioned for a lifetime of health complications, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, simply because we lack protective measures to limit their exposure to harmful foods.' Yolanda Tarisayi Radu, Senior Researcher in Law and Policy at PRICELESS SA, echoes these sentiments, stating, 'Research indicates that front-of-package warning labels are not only effective in curbing unhealthy food consumption but are also crucial for adhering to the constitutional right to health for every child in South Africa. Clear and visible labels empower families to make better nutritional choices while holding food manufacturers accountable.' According to HEALA, voluntary labelling schemes have proven ineffective, often leaving consumers confused and enabling manufacturers to circumvent regulations. 'We need mandatory warning labels,' asserts Zimela. 'We cannot permit food companies to prioritise profits over public health.' Studies conducted in South Africa have shown that while Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) labels often confused consumers, warning triangles resulted in significantly improved identification of unhealthy products and decreased purchasing intentions. The findings reinforce the notion that clear, unambiguous warning labels are imperative for a country where many rely on quick visual cues to make informed decisions. This National Child Protection Week, HEALA urges civil society, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and concerned citizens to unite in advocating for robust food policies that prioritise the health of children over corporate interests. 'Protecting our children means ensuring they have a fair chance at a healthy life, resisting corporate influence, and acting decisively to prevent further harm,' concludes Mbalati. IOL
Economic Times
28-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Not stars, warning labels on food products have real-world impact
It's not the Michelin guide, dear If a pre-packaged food product is high in sugar, salt or fat, should its front label display a 'star rating'? Or should it have clear labelling to enable the consumer to quickly know the product's nutrient contents?On April 9, while hearing a PIL, the Supreme Court instructed GoI to make a final judgement on revising the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 'within three months'. The PIL had sought directions to make front-of-pack warning labels (FoPWL) mandatory for packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat - substances linked to lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart problems. In response, GoI had stated that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had started the amendment process, receiving 'over 14,000 public comments' on the proposed labelling norms. This, after FSSAI had approved draft rules in June 2024 requiring FMCG companies to display key nutritional information - total sugar, salt, saturated fat, percentage of recommended dietary allowance (RDA), etc - prominently on the front of packets. On FoPWL/front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FoPNL), scientific consensus is crystal clear: interpretive warning labels - which go beyond simple textual warnings and provide consumers with a more in-depth explanation of risks associated with a product - outperform all other formats. Yet, a prevalent 'star-rating' system threatens to derail public health major studies - one by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), another by International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai - found that warning labels consistently outperform 'health stars' and other formats in helping consumers identify unhealthy food products. University of North Carolina's Global Food Research Program confirms that only warning labels have real-world impact in curbing consumption of HFSS (high fat, salt, sugar) products. According to ICMR-NIN dietary guidelines, 54% of all deaths are related to unhealthy diets. Despite rising obesity rates in India driven by HFSS food consumption, FoPNL regulation has languished for more than a decade. GoI had set targets to halt obesity by 2025, a goal that seems increasingly out of reach. Reducing consumption of unhealthy diets is critical. FoPNL is one such intervention to reduce HFSS consumption. Yet, despite the PMO's directive to FSSAI in 2021 to expedite FoPNL, the 2022 draft notification proposed 'star ratings' - not warnings - ignoring a unique public health consensus. Under the 'star system', food packets may earn between half a star (least healthy) to 5 stars (healthiest). But, crucially, there is no provision to explicitly label any food as 'unhealthy'. The health star rating system (HSRS) was introduced by the Australian and New Zealand governments in 2014 to assign health ratings to packaged foods and beverages. Originally developed by individuals working closely with the food industry, possible conflict of interest was obvious from the start. A decade of use in Australia and New Zealand shows it hasn't significantly improved public health outcomes there. Stars rate hotels and air conditioners, not the nutritional quality of food we ingest. Take a baby cereal high in sugar. It could earn 3 stars. A pack of biscuits, high in sugar, salt and fat, could earn 2.5 or 3 stars. A soft drink loaded with sugar may still show 2 stars. Consumers must turn to the fine print on the packaging to know the truth. FoPNL in stars is have the right to have access to information needed to understand whether a food product is high in sugar, salt or fat - three nutrients linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity and diabetes. Stars don't reveal these. Without clear warnings upfront, choices are triggered by aggressive marketing, mislabelling and misuse of fruit and vegetables are sometimes falsely portrayed on packages, misleading consumers into thinking industrially processed food products to be healthy. Recognising this manipulation, Economic Survey 2024-25 recommended mandatory warning labels. But industry has resisted such intervention, ironically highlighting the efficacy of such intervention. Which is why GoI should: Finalise a clear definition of HFSS products - which is already included in the 2022 draft. Require warning labels on any food exceeding HFSS thresholds. Align labelling reforms with advertising codes, and Consumer Protection Act 2019. Launch a national communication campaign to educate consumers on identifying HFSS foods from front of packs and risks of overconsumption of such products. FoPNL must not be allowed to become a marketing gimmick. It's a public health intervention. When implemented properly, it will save lives. The matter is now in GoI's 'food court' - and for the people of India to demand what is good for them. One hopes the July decision brings good cheer. (The writer is former member, PM's Council on India's Nutrition Challenges) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Nestlé India's outgoing CEO Narayanan weathered the Maggi storm; Tiwary must tackle slowing growth Will revised economic capital framework lead to higher RBI dividend to govt? He termed IndiGo a 'paan ki dukaan'. Still made INR30k crore by selling its shares ONGC squandered its future once. Can it be different this time? Uncle Sam vs. Microsoft: Which is a safer bet to park money? Mid-cap companies have posted robust results. But experts don't want you to invest in them. 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