GOING HUNGRY: THE STRUGGLE TO EAT HEALTHILY ON A LOW INCOME REPORT

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That this House notes the publication of the National Children's Home (NCH) Report, Going Hungry: the struggle to eat healthily on a low income; is concerned that whilst the NCH research revealed only a minority of children from low income families eating vegetables regularly, it showed 50 per cent. of the same children drinking sugary drinks and 43 per cent. eating crisps most days; notes the finding that children's food preferences are influenced by the marketing of less healthy foods and the linking of some products with celebrities and cartoon characters; recognises that last year the food industry spent ú252 million on advertising fast food, pre-sugared breakfast cereal, confectionery, savoury snacks and fizzy drinks on television; is alarmed that some parents still do not have sufficient funds to provide their children with a nutritionally adequate diet; understands that in these circumstances many parents are often persuaded to purchase unhealthy products because they know their children will eat them and they will 'fill them up'; calls on the Government to develop a national strategy and action plan for ending food poverty and encouraging healthy eating as part of its drive to improve public health and end child poverty; and further calls on the Food Standards Agency to work with food manufacturers and retailers to reduce levels of salt, sugar and fat in food aimed at children.