Junk food ‘blindfolding’ kids, SA tells PM
Led by the The Soil Association (SA), a group of TV chefs, food writers and head teachers have written an open letter to Rishi Sunak urging the PM to adopt a ‘whole school approach’ to feeding the nation’s children, who are being ‘robbed’ of the experience of eating ‘real food’ thanks to the prevalence of ultra-processed products.
Learning to eat should, they say, ‘be an adventure - joyful and challenging’, yet millions of minors are being ‘blindfolded’ by junk food. Consequently, the UK’s children are growing up deprived of flavour diversity, less and less exposed on a daily basis to wholefoods due to the systemic dominance of ultra-processed FMCG.
“Many will rarely feel fresh produce between their fingers. Many will enter adulthood only knowing the simplified and sweet flavours of ultra-processed products, leading to unhealthy choices and poorer health outcomes later in life,” states the letter.
The campaigners argue that Sunak should ‘deliver five-a-day to a million children’ via the SA’s Food for Life scheme, which promotes better quality school meals and sensory education. Signatories include: Helen Browning, CEO of the SA; Jeanette Orrey and Ruth Galpine of Food for Life; Anna Taylor, executive director of The Food Foundation; chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Yotam Ottolenghi and Thomasina Miers; doctor Chris van Tulleken; Stephanie Slater, founder of School Food Matters; Dan Parker, CEO of Veg Power; Baroness Rosie Boycott (cross-party); and Baroness Natalie Bennett of the Green Party.
“Setting children up for a lifetime of good health begins with the choices we make for them, especially when it comes to what's on their plates,” comments Oona Buttafoco, SA senior policy officer for healthy and sustainable diets. “But children in Britain today face significant challenges when it comes to forming a healthy relationship with food. Growing up surrounded by ultra-processed products, they are blindfolded to the diverse flavours, colours, and textures of wholefoods. This not only puts their immediate health at risk, but also promotes a detrimental relationship with food that can persist into adulthood.
“There are no easy solutions, but schools, nurseries and other early year settings can play a pivotal role in supporting children to develop a healthy and beneficial relationship with food. All schools should be supported to provide fresher, healthier food options and embed food education across all areas of school life.”
By Rosie Greenaway, editor