Snack industry report angers campaigners

The campaign group, which boasts support from 300 organisations including the Caroline Walker Trust and the Royal College of Physicians, says it has lodged a written complaint with the Snack, Nut and Crisp Manufacturers' Association (SNACMA) about the claims it has made in a briefing note sent to policy-making groups such as the British Heart Foundation. Richard Watts of the CFC says: "We are disturbed and angry to read the assertion in its briefing paper that the UK snacks sector does not advertise to children under 16. "The Government is known to be considering further restrictions on the advertising of junk food to children in the light of the groundbreaking Foresight report on obesity (compiled by the Office of Science of Technology and published in October 2007). This report concluded that unless the UK takes steps to reform the obesity causing environment - including junk food marketing - over half of the UK's population will be obese by 2050." He said a quick trawl of the Internet showed SNACMA member companies such as Red Mills Foods, Walkers Crisps and Proctor & Gamble (Pringles) promoting products to children. "They are being mendacious when they say they don't advertise to children. They are splitting hairs over the precise definition of advertising. They are engaged in television marketing, on-pack promotions and website activity for children all of which uses phrases such as 'ideal for lunchboxes' and 'pocket-money priced'." The CFC's letter to SNACMA continues: "In the context of these examples of SNACMA members promoting their products to children, we would be interested in hearing how you justify the statement that 'The UK snacks sector does not advertise to children under 16'." When contacted, SNACMA's press office was unable to respond. On its website, however, the organisation says it promotes the interests of its savoury snack industry members. In addition it "ensures that the key facts about the industry and its products are understood and that the industry is accepted as being both a responsible and pro-active player in helping to provide solutions to the problems of consumer nutrition and health by encouraging them to eat a healthy balanced diet and lead an active lifestyle". For information on SNACMA visit www.esa.org.uk. For further details about the Children's Food Campaign go to www.childrensfoodcampaign.org.uk/.