Which? reveals lunchbox 'baddies'

16th November 2009, 9:13am

A child's lunchbox could contain more than 12 teaspoons of sugar, a new Which? report has revealed.

The magazine assessed the nutrition content of items targeted at children's lunchboxes and found that the healthy impression they gave was far from reality.

Research revealed that fruit shoot orange juice drinks contain almost five teaspoons, a 25g frosties cereal milk bar has almost a third (8g) of sugar, and Munch Brunch double up fromage grais contains more than two teaspoons (12.4g) of sugar but only 2.25g of fruit puree.

To help families to pick out healthier food, Which? wants robust rules on when products can make health and nutrition claims.  This would stop manufacturers from making  items that contain high amounts sugar, fat and salt from appearing healthier than they are.

Martyn Hocking, editor, Which? magazine, said: "Parents should be able to pick out healthy products for their kids' lunchboxes, but  what you see isn't always what you get. Some products give the impression of being healthy but are full of salt and sugar.

"The best way to beat the lunchbox baddies is by checking the nutrition and ingredient information.  We'd also like to see the rules on health and nutrition claims made tougher so that there's less confusion on the supermarket shelves."

Responding to the report, Julian Hunt, director of communications at the Food & Drink Federation, added: "We haven't fully digested this particular magazine article, but on first reading it seems to be based on some flawed thinking and an apparently random survey. Retailers and manufacturers provide a wide variety of tasty products designed to fit a range of consumer needs and different eating occasions.

"Critically, we are also leading the way when it comes to the provision of clearer nutrition information on products - so that busy mums can make better informed choices about the food and drinks they want to buy for their families when in the supermarket."

Related Articles:

• 26 Aug 2010 - Certain food and drink brands are "baffling people" with their marketing, says Which?
• 29 Apr 2009 - Cereals contain large amounts of sugar
• 02 Oct 2008 - Cartoon 'baddies' not helping child obesity, says Which?

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