89 percent of children’s food unhealthy, but claims to be healthy

This video from Australia is called Children -walking test tubes -nasty food additives.

89 percent of children’s food products provide poor nutritional quality

But 62 percent of them still make health claims on the packaging

Nine out of ten regular food items aimed specifically at children have a poor nutritional content – because of high levels of sugar, fat or sodium – according to a detailed study of 367 products published in the July issue of the UK-based journal Obesity Reviews.

Just under 70 per cent of the products studied – which specifically excluded confectionery, soft drinks and bakery items – derived a high proportion of calories from sugar. Approximately one in five (23 per cent) had high fat levels and 17 per cent had high sodium levels. Despite this, 62 per cent of the foods with poor nutritional quality (PNQ) made positive claims about their nutritional value on the front of the packet.

“Children’s foods can now be found in virtually every section of the supermarket and are available for every eating experience” says Professor Charlene Elliott from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Trustee of the Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition.

“Parents may have questions about which packaged foods are good for their children. Yet certain nutritional claims may add to the confusion, as they can mislead people into thinking the whole product is nutritious.”

Only 11 per cent of the products Professor Elliott and her colleagues evaluated provided good nutritional value in line with the criteria laid down by the US-based Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a non-profit agency that received the Food and Drug Administration’s highest honour in 2007.

Action on Sugar said it had developed a seven-point plan to curb childhood obesity including the tax and banning junk food sports sponsorships.

Science director Dr Aseem Malhotra said: “It is really quite shameful that the food industry continues to spend billions in junk food advertising targeting children.”

Action on Sugar said it had developed a seven-point plan to curb childhood obesity including the tax and banning junk food sports sponsorships.

Science director Dr Aseem Malhotra said: “It is really quite shameful that the food industry continues to spend billions in junk food advertising targeting children.”

Food companies marketing ‘unhealthy’ foods to children, says study: here.

Stop putting Miffy, other children’s idols, on children’s junk food packing: here. See also here.

Pediatricians warn against chemical additives in food for kids. Because children have a lower body weight, they are particularly susceptible to possible toxins. By Leah Rosenbaum, 6:15pm, July 23, 2018.