The English government has published its Childhood Obesity Strategy, which is already drawing harsh criticism, such as accusing ministers of “caving in to the junk food lobby,” The Daily Mail reported.
Instead of putting mandatory rules in place to force companies into hitting a lower sugar target, the government is simply “challenging” the food industry to cut 20 percent of sugar content from children’s food by 2020. This challenge focuses on foods that Public Health England says to contain the most sugar: breakfast cereals, yogurts, biscuits, cakes, pastries, puddings, ice cream, and spreads.
There are no concrete laws to enforce this, only a vague promise of “alternative levers” if the goals are not met in 10 years.
“This is a truly shocking abdication of the Government’s duties to secure the health and future of the next generation,” said Malcolm Clark of the Children’s Food Campaign.
By Abigail Abesamis
Source: The Daily Meal
Cécile Béliot has assumed the role of Bel Group chief executive officer, following the decision to separate the roles of chairman and CEO. The separation of the functions will enable Bel Group to develop in three areas of healthy snacking. Meanwhile, the company’s former CEO, Antoine Fiévet, has had his mandate renewed as chairman of the board.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf was grilled by lawmakers during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, where he was slammed over the agency’s handling of the escalating infant formula shortage.
Sweegen is ramping up its efforts to reduce sugar across F&B applications while simultaneously tapping into the benefits of using antioxidants and bitter blocking technology. Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Casey McCormick, vice president of global innovation at Sweegen, says product developers can find a broad range of solutions in Sweegen’s nature-based sweetener systems as brands elevate better-for-you foods.