Heart Foundation supports sugary drinks action

Media Release

09 December 2016

Heart Foundation supports sugary drinks action

The Heart Foundation has put its weight behind the New Zealand Dental Association’s (NZDA) release today of a consensus statement on sugary drinks.

Heart Foundation food and nutrition manager, Dave Monro, said the Heart Foundation would be putting its full support behind the range of actions outlined by the NZDA which include: the introduction of a sugary drinks tax, removing sugary drinks from certain environments and generally raising awareness of the negative health effect of drinking them.

“We look forward to working with the NZDA and the other health organisations that are party to the action points outlined in the statement,” Dave said.

“In particular, we are excited about working to encourage the removal of sugary drinks in schools. This is an area that the Heart Foundation is passionate about, given our longstanding work on creating healthy food environments in schools and early learning services.”

For over 27 years, the Heart Foundation has been actively working with schools through programmes like its Heart Start: Toitoi Manawa to develop environments that support healthy eating and physical activity.

“Our programmes recommend that children cut back on foods or drinks that are high in ‘added’ sugar such as soft drinks and cordials. Added sugar offers little nutritional value and evidence shows high intakes increase body weight and have an impact on blood pressure and type 2 diabetes which are risk factors for heart disease.

“We are also working with schools encouraging them to adopt the Government’s recommended policy of becoming water and plain reduced-fat milk only schools.”

- Ends –

© Scoop Media