Junk food packets should be plain

AS the government moves to enforce plain packaging for cigarettes, Diabetes Australia is calling for a similar stance on junk food.

AS the government moves to enforce plain packaging for cigarettes, Diabetes Australia is calling for a similar stance on junk food.

With obesity overtaking smoking to become the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia, Diabetes Australia CEO Michelle Trute believes junk food should be taken just as seriously as cigarettes.

“I applaud the government’s move to remove labelling from cigarette packets, as it is another positive step forward to reduce smoking in Australia,” she said.

“However, if the health and welfare of people is important enough to our government to control the tobacco industry, then the same approach should be applied to the junk food industry.”

Ms Trute said many groups had been advocating for the ban of junk food ads during children’s programming.

“It’s pretty scary for parents to realise the average child is watching in excess of 60 junk food advertisements every week,” she said.

“All of those advertisements are promoting processed food and drink products that are high in fat, salt and sugar with little or no nutritional value.

“It might seem radical but perhaps the junk food industry needs to be forced to use plain packaging too.

“I’m not saying let’s ban treats, but consuming them should be well thought out.”

Bundaberg Juvenile Diabetes Action Group president Barry Fleming said while banning advertisements and enforcing plain packaging for junk food may work, people needed to be sensible.

“If kids want a treat, then it won’t hurt once in a blue moon,” he said.

As the father of a diabetic child, Mr Fleming said the education about healthy foods all started at home.

“Dylan sees the ads but they don’t interest him,” Mr Fleming said. “That first week in hospital with drips and needles was enough.

“Our motto is everything in moderation.

“If we have a pizza night we make a big fresh salad and have that with it, rather than just pigging out on pizza.”

He said kids could not be denied junk food altogether.

“We can’t lock our kids up or put them in cotton wool,” he said.

“We need to be sensible.

“They need plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as the occasional treat.”

Originally published as Junk food packets should be plain