Durkan backs Sugar Bill to help curb childhood obesity

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has supported a Bill at Westminster which would force food producers to list how many teaspoons of sugar are in their products.

The Sugar Bill hopes to tackle one of the underlying causes of childhood obesity and the number of children who are living with type 2 diabetes which has doubled in a decade.

Other proposals in the Private Members’ Bill, tabled by Labour MP Geraint Davies and supported by the Royal College of Physicians and Cancer Research, include restricting television advertising of high sugar foods containing more than 20 per cent sugar until after the 9.00pm watershed.

Mr Durkan said: “The significant rise not only in childhood obesity but the numbers of children with type 2 diabetes in Derry and throughout the North is alarming.

“A fifth of children are now starting primary school overweight or obese – rising to a third by the time they leave.

“I therefore fully support this bill which will require that added sugar is labelled in teaspoons on processed foods so consumers can immediately understand how much sugar is in the product.

“Labelling presently is confusing and doesn’t allow consumers to fully understand the sugar content in many foods. This legislation would therefore be a welcome tool in the battle against obesity and diabetes.

“I have also consistently supported calls at Westminster for the introduction of a tax on sugary drinks and a crackdown on the marketing and advertising of unhealthy foods to children.”