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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Calls to downsize chocolate bars | Calls to downsize chocolate bars |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Manufacturers are being asked to cut the size of chocolate bars, confectionery and cans of fizzy drink to tackle rising rates of obesity. | Manufacturers are being asked to cut the size of chocolate bars, confectionery and cans of fizzy drink to tackle rising rates of obesity. |
| By 2012, the Food Standards Agency wants chocolate-based snacks such as Mars bars to be no bigger than 50g compared with the current 58g size. | By 2012, the Food Standards Agency wants chocolate-based snacks such as Mars bars to be no bigger than 50g compared with the current 58g size. |
| Bars of chocolate should be no larger than 40g, a draft consultation warns. | Bars of chocolate should be no larger than 40g, a draft consultation warns. |
| Industry representatives said they were disappointed by continued moves to set "arbitrary targets". | Industry representatives said they were disappointed by continued moves to set "arbitrary targets". |
| The voluntary proposals also call for manufacturers to reduce the amount of saturated fat and added sugar in biscuits, cakes, pastries, chocolate confectionery and soft drinks. | The voluntary proposals also call for manufacturers to reduce the amount of saturated fat and added sugar in biscuits, cakes, pastries, chocolate confectionery and soft drinks. |
| A report from the FSA said there had been some progress - such as moves by United Biscuits to cut saturated fat in Digestives, Hob Nobs and Rich Tea biscuits by 50%. | A report from the FSA said there had been some progress - such as moves by United Biscuits to cut saturated fat in Digestives, Hob Nobs and Rich Tea biscuits by 50%. |
| What we want to do is to make it easier for people to make healthier choices Gill Fine, FSA | What we want to do is to make it easier for people to make healthier choices Gill Fine, FSA |
| Tesco was also highlighted for removing 110 tonnes of saturated fat from its cakes by the end of 2008. | Tesco was also highlighted for removing 110 tonnes of saturated fat from its cakes by the end of 2008. |
| But when it comes to chocolate bars, EU rules restrict sugar and fat reductions, making reformulation difficult, the FSA said. | But when it comes to chocolate bars, EU rules restrict sugar and fat reductions, making reformulation difficult, the FSA said. |
| Reductions are however possible through cutting portion sizes, it added. | Reductions are however possible through cutting portion sizes, it added. |
| Chocolate bars, such as Dairy Milk and Yorkie, including those with added fruit and nuts, should weigh no more than 40g, the FSA said. | Chocolate bars, such as Dairy Milk and Yorkie, including those with added fruit and nuts, should weigh no more than 40g, the FSA said. |
| And chocolate products with "fillings" such as Mars bars, Twix and Snickers, should weigh no more than 50g and their saturated fat content be cut by at least 10%. | And chocolate products with "fillings" such as Mars bars, Twix and Snickers, should weigh no more than 50g and their saturated fat content be cut by at least 10%. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYHow does the size of the bar matter - folks will buy two if they don't get the kick they wantRoger, Sheffield Send us your comments | |
| Cans of fizzy drinks should be cut from 330ml to 250ml by 2015, the FSA recommended. | Cans of fizzy drinks should be cut from 330ml to 250ml by 2015, the FSA recommended. |
| And single portions of sugar-containing still and juice drinks should also be no more than 250ml. | And single portions of sugar-containing still and juice drinks should also be no more than 250ml. |
| Obesity epidemic | Obesity epidemic |
| On current trends around 60% of Britons will be obese by 2050. | On current trends around 60% of Britons will be obese by 2050. |
| Health problems associated with obesity already cost the NHS £4.2bn a year, a figure that is set to double by 2050. | Health problems associated with obesity already cost the NHS £4.2bn a year, a figure that is set to double by 2050. |
| Almost nine out of 10 children aged seven to 14 drink fizzy drinks and 34% of 11-16 year-olds consume chocolate at least once a day, figures show. | Almost nine out of 10 children aged seven to 14 drink fizzy drinks and 34% of 11-16 year-olds consume chocolate at least once a day, figures show. |
| CURRENT CHOCOLATE SIZES Mars bar 58gSnickers 58gKit Kat Chunky 50gDairy Milk 49gGalaxy 46gYorkie 68g | CURRENT CHOCOLATE SIZES Mars bar 58gSnickers 58gKit Kat Chunky 50gDairy Milk 49gGalaxy 46gYorkie 68g |
| Gill Fine, director of consumer choice and dietary health at the FSA, said they recognised the achievements already made by some manufacturers. | Gill Fine, director of consumer choice and dietary health at the FSA, said they recognised the achievements already made by some manufacturers. |
| "But to make even greater progress it's important that everybody gets behind our recommendations on saturated fat, added sugar and portion sizes. | "But to make even greater progress it's important that everybody gets behind our recommendations on saturated fat, added sugar and portion sizes. |
| "What we are not doing is telling people what to eat. | "What we are not doing is telling people what to eat. |
| "What we want to do is to make it easier for people to make healthier choices - to choose foods with reduced saturated fat and sugar - or smaller portion sizes." | "What we want to do is to make it easier for people to make healthier choices - to choose foods with reduced saturated fat and sugar - or smaller portion sizes." |
| Julian Hunt, director of communications at the Food and Drink Federation, said manufacturers had been working on cutting sugar and fat in their products for a number of years but there were significant technical, financial and consumer challenges that companies have to overcome. | Julian Hunt, director of communications at the Food and Drink Federation, said manufacturers had been working on cutting sugar and fat in their products for a number of years but there were significant technical, financial and consumer challenges that companies have to overcome. |
| "Policy makers need to be realistic about the pace at which our members can be expected to keep delivering new innovations - particularly in the current recession," he said. | "Policy makers need to be realistic about the pace at which our members can be expected to keep delivering new innovations - particularly in the current recession," he said. |
| He added that they were committed to working with the FSA but reformulation was just one option. | He added that they were committed to working with the FSA but reformulation was just one option. |
| "We are disappointed that it appears to remain committed to setting arbitrary targets for specific nutrients in certain foods, rather than focusing on the need for everyone to achieve a balanced diet and lifestyle." | "We are disappointed that it appears to remain committed to setting arbitrary targets for specific nutrients in certain foods, rather than focusing on the need for everyone to achieve a balanced diet and lifestyle." |