Responding to the launch of a new Health and Social Care Select Committee report calling on the government to ‘stand up to the food industry’, Professor Grant McIntyre, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh said:
"After decades of failure to address diet-related ill health, this report provides a welcome and much needed set of recommendations including stronger action on the advertising, promotion and labelling of food, alongside measures to encourage healthier diets. These will, if implemented, prioritise health in food policy and tackle the obesogenic environment."
"Time and again, policies designed to improve children’s health and reduce obesity rates have been delayed or weakened as a result of pressure from the food and drink industry. As the report clearly states, the impact on the nation's health means that governments can no longer prioritise commercial interests ahead of public health."
"Like many organisations, we are disheartened that the report does not contain any recommendations on early years nutrition. Nonetheless, the report acknowledges the need for action in this important area, and we will continue to build the case for action through the Commercial Baby Food Review project."