This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8421326.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Parents 'misled' by food labels | Parents 'misled' by food labels |
| (1 day later) | |
| Nine out of 10 mothers questioned in a British Heart Foundation (BHF) survey misunderstood the nutrition information on children's foods. | Nine out of 10 mothers questioned in a British Heart Foundation (BHF) survey misunderstood the nutrition information on children's foods. |
| The BHF says mothers believe claims such as "a source of calcium, iron and six vitamins" mean a product is likely to be healthy. | The BHF says mothers believe claims such as "a source of calcium, iron and six vitamins" mean a product is likely to be healthy. |
| A "mish mash" of different food labelling styles is fuelling confusion among shoppers, it added. | A "mish mash" of different food labelling styles is fuelling confusion among shoppers, it added. |
| But manufacturers insisted their nutritional labelling was clear. | But manufacturers insisted their nutritional labelling was clear. |
| The research was carried out on 1454 parents aged between 16-64 years old with kids aged 15 or under through an online survey. | |
| It found that 76% of mothers questioned believed that "wholegrain" means the product is likely to be healthy. | |
| However, the BHF said that - for example - Nestle's Honey Shreddies, which claim to be wholegrain and to "keep your heart healthy and maintain a healthy body", contain more sugar [13.6g] than a ring doughnut [9.2g] in an average serving. | However, the BHF said that - for example - Nestle's Honey Shreddies, which claim to be wholegrain and to "keep your heart healthy and maintain a healthy body", contain more sugar [13.6g] than a ring doughnut [9.2g] in an average serving. |
| Kellogg's Coco Pops cereal and milk bars are labelled as "a source of calcium, iron and six vitamins" and 63% of mothers in the survey thought they were healthy. | Kellogg's Coco Pops cereal and milk bars are labelled as "a source of calcium, iron and six vitamins" and 63% of mothers in the survey thought they were healthy. |
| The BHF said that for every 100g they were higher in saturated fat and sugar than the average chocolate cake. | The BHF said that for every 100g they were higher in saturated fat and sugar than the average chocolate cake. |
| The Natural Confectionery Company Jelly Snakes which are made by Cadbury's contain more calories gram for gram than black treacle, the BHF said. | The Natural Confectionery Company Jelly Snakes which are made by Cadbury's contain more calories gram for gram than black treacle, the BHF said. |
| Single labelling scheme | Single labelling scheme |
| Almost three in five respondents believed that the phrase "no artificial flavourings, no artificial colourings" indicated a healthy treat. | Almost three in five respondents believed that the phrase "no artificial flavourings, no artificial colourings" indicated a healthy treat. |
| The questionnaire found that 84% of them wanted a single, front-of-pack food labelling scheme. | The questionnaire found that 84% of them wanted a single, front-of-pack food labelling scheme. |
| Peter Hollins, BHF chief executive, said: "Mums are having the wool pulled over their eyes by food manufacturers. | Peter Hollins, BHF chief executive, said: "Mums are having the wool pulled over their eyes by food manufacturers. |
| "Smoke and mirror tactics means that foods targeted at children and high in fat, salt and sugar are being disguised with partial health claims suggesting they are a healthy choice. | "Smoke and mirror tactics means that foods targeted at children and high in fat, salt and sugar are being disguised with partial health claims suggesting they are a healthy choice. |
| "Regularly eating these types of foods could have serious implications for kids' future health." | "Regularly eating these types of foods could have serious implications for kids' future health." |
| A single unified labelling system for food is needed because it the "mish mash" of the different systems serves only to confuse shoppers, he added. | A single unified labelling system for food is needed because it the "mish mash" of the different systems serves only to confuse shoppers, he added. |
| "It's time for food companies to stop making excuses, support one system and ensure shoppers are given 'at a glance' information about the foods they're giving their kids." | "It's time for food companies to stop making excuses, support one system and ensure shoppers are given 'at a glance' information about the foods they're giving their kids." |
| A spokesman for the Natural Confectionery Company said: "All we claim is that the sweets contain no artificial colours and flavours - which is true - so we're not sure why this should confuse anybody. | A spokesman for the Natural Confectionery Company said: "All we claim is that the sweets contain no artificial colours and flavours - which is true - so we're not sure why this should confuse anybody. |
| "All nutritional information is clearly labelled on the bag." | "All nutritional information is clearly labelled on the bag." |
| And a spokesman for Kellogg's responded: "A Kellogg's Coco Pops Cereal and Milk bar actually contains less than two teaspoons of sugar per bar and has half the calories (84) and far less fat than a chocolate bar. | And a spokesman for Kellogg's responded: "A Kellogg's Coco Pops Cereal and Milk bar actually contains less than two teaspoons of sugar per bar and has half the calories (84) and far less fat than a chocolate bar. |
| "Parents understand this because we give them the information they need, through our front-of-pack labelling, to make similar comparisons." | "Parents understand this because we give them the information they need, through our front-of-pack labelling, to make similar comparisons." |
| Julian Hunt, of the Food and Drink Federation, has complained that the BHF did not share its research with them: "The truth is that the food industry takes its responsibilities seriously. | |
| "That's why our members are leading the world when it comes to ensuring that food recipes meet the demands of mums and their families - whether that's through the use of natural ingredients; reducing the amount of salt, fat or sugar used; or fortifying products with nutritionally-vital vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients. | |
| "The nutrition claims identified by BHF are not 'partial health claims' - they are approved under the EU Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation, which is setting a strict legal framework for all claims on food packs. | |
| "To claim otherwise is being completely disingenuous - or shows that the BHF is deliberately trying to mislead both mums and journalists at what is a very busy time for all of us." |