Betty McBride, policy and communication director of the British Heart Foundation, has written to the FT today to attack the food industry for its objections to traffic lights labels appearing on food. Shopkeepers need to watch this pressure for regulation closely.
She was responding to an FT column which highlighted discussions in Brussels over what a portion was: one biscuit or three. It depends, the industry suggests. Ms McBride disagrees and is happy to define “realistic portions”.
“Independent research has shown that a combination of traffic light colours, guideline daily amounts, and the words high, medium and low would be the best way to give shoppers the at-a-glance information they want,” she writes in support of labeling.
The industry, she suggests, desires to “deliberately confuse people about how unhealthy some of its products are.”
The danger of her words is real. For example, in Scotland, the government has suggested it might remove confectionery displays from hotspots in local shops, such as the counter. In London, one local authority has banned new food-to-go outlets from near schools and claims this has cut obesity.
As a local shopkeeper you need to take part in the healthy food debate. Your shop is an easy targets for health campaigners, particularly as some local shopkeepers are poor and some are dishonest and people who don’t know you will find it hard to tell you apart.
As independent operators it is difficult to establish the standards that need to apply to all shops. But not impossible. You have to take part in trade association discussion groups and through social media in setting out to local people what good shops look like, what they do and why they should be valued. Shoppers then need to know how to tell the difference between a responsible retailer and one they should not support.
Steve Denham, on a related subject, tells retailers that concerned parents upset by the risk of risque magazine covers being seen by their children should simply have a word with the local retailer, rather than pressing for regulation. That is a world view you need to support.
Angus Stewart
20/03/2010
Nick, I think the most important part of your post is the statement, “As a local shopkeeper you need to take part in the healthy food debate.” As you point out, the Scottish Government has launched a consultation document on plans to fight obesity. In its 50 pages of a very wide-ranging battle plan there is a fairly small section aimed at retailers but it bluntly highlights the consequences of a retail sector which finds itself unable to come to some sort of voluntary agreement to limit the display area, as well as individual portion size, of those products which are known to increase obesity, particularly in children. (High-energy drinks and some confectionery items are being targeted.)
What will happen if we cannot reach an agreement? (i.e. some sort of voluntary code of practice).
Legislation of course. We’ve seen it with tobacco and alcohol, now it’s the turn of food. If we stick our heads in the sand or just stand there hollering “No way!” they will simply impose new laws which are likely to be much worse than any voluntary code. So taking part in the debate is essential. We can certainly fight our corner without being obstructive (let’s face it, obesity does not contribute to the longevity of our customers – and we need them to stay alive and active for as long as possible to come and spend in our shops) but it really does cost enormous sums in health care, so retailers should be cautious about the way in which we keep the debate from becoming a slanging match.
Steve’s point about parents and local retailers working together is a good example of how those matters can be dealt with. It’s a case of educating each other and discussing the pros and cons of the debate. The parents need to understand the local retailer’s concerns, just as the retailers must learn to listen to their customers’ concerns.
nick shanagher
29/03/2010
On portion size, I am increasingly of the view that as sugar and salt levels reduce in what is presented as a portion, so consumers will increase their consumption. In New York, mums have been banned from selling home-cooked cakes to raise money for their schools. Instead they have a list of 17 approved products such as Kellogg’s pop tarts. Some mums are picketing the legislature. But it illustrates the challenge that regulations pose.