FATTY FOOD

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Health Secretary John Reid agreed a deal with confectionery giants to axe super-size chocolate bars in a bid to curb obesity. A Whitehall source revealed, "A Food and Drink Federation meeting secured a positive move towards phasing out super-sized portions. This is an incredible development when you consider that these giant snacks now make up significant chunk of the market. The industry must be given credit for working with the Government to fight Britain's biggest killer." (How come everything is the biggest killer?) Of course, no one will buy more than one bar of chocolate at a time - will they?

A Government blueprint is expected to include new rules forcing food firms to put tobacco-style health warnings on their products. Dr Reid wants a "traffic light" system, where unhealthy foods are tagged red and healthy items given a green grading. There will also be tough new restrictions on the advertising of certain snacks, meals and fizzy drinks. MPs have expressed concern that burger giants like McDonald's offer free toys with meals in a bid lure children into their restaurants. This is yet another attempt by the government to keep prices artificially high.

Consumers are often being misled by minced meat labels that claim that the product contains less fat than it actually does, according to a survey by the UK’s government-backed Food Standards Agency. In the case of products claiming to be 'extra' or 'super' lean, some in fact contained as much if not more fat than 'lean' mince.

The survey compared the fat content of 'standard' minced meat with mince claiming to be 'lean' or 'extra/super lean'. It also checked whether the fat content on the nutrition labels was accurate. The FSA looked at 561 samples of fresh and frozen minced meat, including 444 samples of beef.

The survey found that the amount of fat in standard beef mince ranged from 1.9g to 32.3g per 100g. Several samples of 'extra' or 'super' lean mince had higher fat contents than some 'lean' mince, while 55 of the 308 samples giving nutrition information on the label contained more fat than the label claimed.

“Consumers expect products described as ‘extra’ or ‘super’ lean to contain less fat than ‘lean’ mince. Indeed people often pay a premium price for such products, and yet this survey highlights the fact that some of the products described as ‘extra’ or ‘super’ lean actually contain as much fat, if not more, than ‘lean’ mince,” said David Statham, director of enforcement and food standards at the FSA.

“The Food Standards Agency did this survey to see if consumers were getting accurate information. It is clear that in some cases they are not. The Agency now intends to consult on the development of its own guidelines for the terms that are used to describe the fat content of mince. We want food manufacturers and retailers to sign up to clear definitions and descriptions and ensure that their products meet them,” he added.

Where the survey found examples of nutrition labels with inaccurate fat levels, the FSA said it has asked local authorities to take action.

Health campaigners have accused food manufacturers of ignoring a commitment to scrap king-size chocolate bars. They say that the bumper bars are still available 15 months after the companies promised to reduce portion sizes to help tackle obesity levels. Janice Allen, of the National Consumer Council, said, "We're disappointed to see that they have changed the size and shape of some bars, but are still offering jumbo and super-size packs at prices people see as better value." Can't have that can we?