Retailers support the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan.

In New Zealand and around the world levels of obesity are increasing and now pose a significant health challenge. The Ministry of Health defines obesity as an excessively high amount of body fat (adipose tissue) in relation to lean body mass. It is associated with an increased risk of a number of health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease (source: Ministry of Health). Obesity is caused by many factors – genetics, age, lifestyle, exercise, diet and psychological disorders may each have a role in individual cases.

Retailers, along with others in the food and beverage industry, have committed to a range of pledges to support the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan:

Reformulation

PLEDGE: Where possible, reformulate private label products to improve nutritional value. Support and encourage the reformulation of supplier products.

Education

PLEDGE: Provide or support initiatives to inform young people and their families about how to make healthier food choices.

Provide Healthy Choices

PLEDGE: Make available a range of products in store, including healthy options such as fruit and vegetables or products with higher nutritional value.

Health Star Ratings

PLEDGE: Commit to using the Government’s Health Star Ratings on private label products. Support and promote the uptake of Health Star Ratings on suppliers’ products.

Responsible Advertising

PLEDGE: Ensure all advertising of food to children is of a high ethical standard, supports the Ministry of Health Nutritional Guidelines, and complies with the Advertising Standards Authority codes.

Reporting

PLEDGE: Commit to report on activities undertaken in support of this pledge as part of corporate responsibility reporting.