FDF response to PHE sugar reduction guidelines
30 March 2017
In response to the publication by Public Health England of its sugar reduction guidelines for industry, Ian Wright CBE, Director General of the Food and Drink Federation, the voice of UK food and drink manufacturers, said:
“Obesity levels in the UK are unacceptably high. Physical inactivity is a factor, but for many the problem overwhelmingly is with excess calories in the diet. With many of these calories coming from sugars, we support the Government's highly ambitious sugars reduction drive.
“Today's report represents a constructive platform on which to build a world-leading programme of voluntary sugars reduction, right across food and drink. All parts of the food industry – manufacturers, retailers, takeaways, restaurants and cafés – need to step up. The guidelines are very stretching but manufacturers, for our part, are willing to take on the challenge.
“Manufacturers know the special place their products have in people's lives. Companies are working hard to overcome technical challenges and make gradual tweaks to favourite foods that regular customers can accept. They are also developing new low sugar alternatives. In some foods, portion size reductions will be necessary.
“This programme is only one piece of a much wider jigsaw of work that needs to be done to move towards better overall diets and more active lifestyles. We look forward to continuing to work closely with PHE and other partners as the programme moves from design into implementation.”
More Information
We have created a short video in which FDF's Chief Scientific Officer Helen Munday explains what this process involves and what it will mean for manufacturers, retailers, café and restaurant owners. Importantly, the video also explains the changes consumers will begin to see as a result of these collective efforts.
View Video: Reducing sugars in our diets
Contact Ella Stanbrook, Corporate Affairs Division, at: ella.stanbrook@fdf.org.uk, or 02074207131.
