§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars.
§ Mr. DorrellThe steps are twofold. First, we sought and have published COMA's authoritative advice on the relationship between dietary sugars and human disease. Secondly, we are acting on the report's recommendations. One of the main recommendations was that the population as a whole reduce its consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars. The recommendations for action in support of this aim were mainly directed at health education. I am pleased to say, therefore, that the need to reduce the consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars is now an integral part of the Health Education Authority's major new programme of nutrition and dental health education. The HEA has already produced a well-received briefing paper for health professionals based on the COMA report. In addition new guidelines on all aspects of diet, including sugars consumption, are being prepared jointly by this Department, the HEA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. These will be published shortly.
Other Government action includes encouragement for more sugar-free medicinal products and for manufacturers to adopt current MAFF guidelines that suggest inclusion of sugar content as part of nutrition declarations on food labels.