§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government are doing to implement the recommendation of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy's report that the consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars by the population should be decreased.
§ Mr. DorrellSince publication of the report by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy "Dietary Sugars and Human Disease" in December 1989, action has been taken on all of the major recommendations.
The Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Health Education Authority has developed a set of eight straightforward, easily understood guidelines for people to follow for a healthy diet. One of these COMA-endorsed guidelines is "Don't Eat Sugary Foods Too Often". The first education booklet based on this advice was published in July 1990, a copy of which is available in the Library. The HEA is reflecting the advice on sugars consumption in all appropriate health education programmes designed to equip people to make sensible food choices.
The Government took an active part in negotiating the recently agreed EC nutrition labelling rules directive, which built on earlier United Kingdom guidelines and provides for the declaration of total sugars content on food labels. The provision of nutrition information will continue to be voluntary except where a nutrition claim is made. The Government are encouraging the industry to provide as comprehensive a picture of information as possible in order to ensure that consumers are not misled by selective claims. The provisions of the directive will be reviewed after five years. A second directive to allow the introduction of selective compulsory nutrition labelling has not been agreed; a decision on this is likely to be made once experience has been gained with the voluntary system.
The pharmaceutical industry continues to play an important part by increasing the number of sugar-free medicines, particularly those for use by children or taken over a long period.
A joint working group of the Department, MAFF and HEA, together with outside experts, is considering ways in which good catering practice can contribute to healthy eating patterns, including the restriction of sugars consumption.
Steps have been taken to inform health care professionals. The HEA have produced a briefing paper explaining COMA's recommendations. A video tape is being produced under the auspices of the British Postgraduate Medical Federation. It will be distributed to all dental practices and is designed to help dentists in providing dietary advice as an important part of their health education of patients.
Under the national curriculum, it is a requirement that pupils are taught the factors that contribute to good health and body maintenance, including balanced diet and oral hygiene.
Finally, the Government continue to monitor the population's eating habits. The national food survey has recently been enhanced to provide information on the consumption of two key foods containing sugars-soft drinks and confectionery.