Parliamentary food chief warns against legal sugar, salt and fat limits

10-Jan-2013 - Last updated on 19-Aug-2020 at 08:31 GMT

Just say no to legal limits for levels of sugar, salt and fat in food: John Stevenson

Prescribing legal limits for levels of sugar, salt and fat in food – as touted by the Labour Party this week – is not the right way to improve the nation’s health.

So said chairman of the All Party Group for Food and Drink Manufacturing John Stevenson MP in this exclusive podcast for FoodManufacture.co.uk.

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham has called on government to consider setting legal limits – especially for foods targeted at children – because he thinks that voluntary deals under the Public Health Responsibility Deal aren’t going far enough.

Nestlé

But Stevenson, who as the Conservative MP for Carlisle, has major manufacturers United Biscuits, Nestlé and 2 Sisters sites in his constituency, explained that government has a role to play – but stressed food choices were ultimately down to the individual.

He also highlighted why he thought those clamouring for legislation should learn from the Danish experience and why he thought food manufacturers were already stepping up to the plate.

And if legislation was on the cards at a future date, how would he vote? Have a listen and find out.

Don’t miss a full interview with Stevenson in our sister title Food Manufacture in March. To order your copy, click here.