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Government’s obesity strategy set for further ‘unacceptable’ delay

The Government has confirmed that it has delayed its long-awaited obesity strategy until the autumn, in a move described as ‘completely acceptable’ by the BMA.

It was expected that the strategy, which is set to recommend ways to reduce sugar consumption through regulating the food industry, was due to be published this week, having been delayed from its original publication date of last year.

But the DH confirmed to Pulse that it has been pushed back to the autumn.

Professor Parveen Kumar, BMA board of science chair, said: ‘It is completely unacceptable that the Government’s long-delayed strategy has been pushed back again.

‘It is vital for the health of our next generation that the Government produces a robust and forward-thinking strategy with targets, backed up by legislation, which work to reduce the amount of sugar, saturated fat and salt in our food.

‘It must restrict junk food marketing that targets children, and should implement its promised sugar tax on soft drinks.’

She added that ‘every day that it is delayed, is a day that the Government is letting our children down’.


          

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