Healthy food policies needed to combat obesity

Media release 18.2.14, for immediate release

The Soil & Health Association strongly endorses the proposals of Dr Gabrielle Jenkin and other researchers urging the government to take action on unhealthy food.

“Soil & Health works hard to educate our members, supporters and the public about a healthy diet and lifestyle, and there are many things we can all do as individuals and families,” says Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health. “But there is something quite wrong when we see sweet soft drinks, chippies and chocolate bars widely available in places like schools, hospitals and sports venues.”

The government has a responsibility for public health on behalf of all New Zealanders, and must intervene to halt the dramatic increase in obesity and diseases such as diabetes that may result. By placing limitations on the advertising and sale of unhealthy food, we all gain, healthwise and economically.

“The widespread availability of unhealthy processed foods is making Kiwis sick, and placing a burden on our health system,” says Ms Thomson. “For our health’s sake, we need to limit highly processed foods which have virtually no nutrient value, and may also contain harmful things such as additives, food colourings and genetically engineered ingredients.”

Soil & Health has been advocating a healthy, balanced diet of whole, natural and organic food since it was established in 1941.
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