Post by Patrick on Nov 13, 2010 15:01:23 GMT
Bit of a tabloid-ey headline, but not far off......
The Department of Health is putting the fast food companies McDonald's and KFC and processed food and drink manufacturers such as PepsiCo, Kellogg's, Unilever, Mars and Diageo at the heart of writing government policy on obesity, alcohol and diet-related disease, the Guardian has learned.
In an overhaul of public health, said by campaign groups to be the equivalent of handing smoking policy over to the tobacco industry, health secretary Andrew Lansley has set up five "responsibility deal" networks with business, co-chaired by ministers, to come up with policies. Some of these are expected to be used in the public health white paper due in the next month.
The groups are dominated by food and alcohol industry members, who have been invited to suggest measures to tackle public health crises. Working alongside them are public interest health and consumer groups including Which?, Cancer Research UK and the Faculty of Public Health. The alcohol responsibility deal network is chaired by the head of the lobby group the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. The food network to tackle diet and health problems includes processed food manufacturers, fast food companies, and Compass, the catering company famously pilloried by Jamie Oliver for its school menus of turkey twizzlers. The food deal's sub-group on calories is chaired by PepsiCo, owner of Walkers crisps.
The leading supermarkets are an equally strong presence, while the responsibility deal's physical activity group is chaired by the Fitness Industry Association, which is the lobby group for private gyms and personal trainers.
In early meetings, these commercial partners have been invited to draft priorities and identify barriers, such as EU legislation, that they would like removed. They have been assured by Lansley that he wants to explore voluntary not regulatory approaches, and to support them in removing obstacles. Using the pricing of food or alcohol to change consumption has been ruled out. One group was told that the health department did not want to lead, but rather hear from its members what should be done
So, let's just translate some of that last paragraph shall we?
"In early meetings, these commercial partners have been invited to draft priorities and identify barriers, such as EU legislation, that they would like removed "
"They have been assured by Lansley that he wants to explore voluntary not regulatory approaches, and to support them in removing obstacles"
"Using the pricing of food or alcohol to change consumption has been ruled out."
So - that's giving the fast food giants and supermarkets immunity from EU legislation. Making any ruling voluntary so these companies can abuse them to their hearts content - and protecting their interests by NOT putting any extra "Fat Taxes" or "Alcohol Taxes" in order to stop people killing themselves.
It's the way I read it - correct me if I'm wrong!
Basically it's Government and big business getting together and "Business" as usual.
I wonder what other companies might be brought in to help with policy? Co-op Funeral Care to help with the Health Service? (From a purely mutual perpective, naturally!?)
EA Games to advise on Military policy?
My favourite would be the Campaign for Real Ale to take over Alcohol policy, personally. Just think - Specialist Hotels with Hot and cold running Youngs in the bathroom!
Any others?
The Department of Health is putting the fast food companies McDonald's and KFC and processed food and drink manufacturers such as PepsiCo, Kellogg's, Unilever, Mars and Diageo at the heart of writing government policy on obesity, alcohol and diet-related disease, the Guardian has learned.
In an overhaul of public health, said by campaign groups to be the equivalent of handing smoking policy over to the tobacco industry, health secretary Andrew Lansley has set up five "responsibility deal" networks with business, co-chaired by ministers, to come up with policies. Some of these are expected to be used in the public health white paper due in the next month.
The groups are dominated by food and alcohol industry members, who have been invited to suggest measures to tackle public health crises. Working alongside them are public interest health and consumer groups including Which?, Cancer Research UK and the Faculty of Public Health. The alcohol responsibility deal network is chaired by the head of the lobby group the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. The food network to tackle diet and health problems includes processed food manufacturers, fast food companies, and Compass, the catering company famously pilloried by Jamie Oliver for its school menus of turkey twizzlers. The food deal's sub-group on calories is chaired by PepsiCo, owner of Walkers crisps.
The leading supermarkets are an equally strong presence, while the responsibility deal's physical activity group is chaired by the Fitness Industry Association, which is the lobby group for private gyms and personal trainers.
In early meetings, these commercial partners have been invited to draft priorities and identify barriers, such as EU legislation, that they would like removed. They have been assured by Lansley that he wants to explore voluntary not regulatory approaches, and to support them in removing obstacles. Using the pricing of food or alcohol to change consumption has been ruled out. One group was told that the health department did not want to lead, but rather hear from its members what should be done
So, let's just translate some of that last paragraph shall we?
"In early meetings, these commercial partners have been invited to draft priorities and identify barriers, such as EU legislation, that they would like removed "
"They have been assured by Lansley that he wants to explore voluntary not regulatory approaches, and to support them in removing obstacles"
"Using the pricing of food or alcohol to change consumption has been ruled out."
So - that's giving the fast food giants and supermarkets immunity from EU legislation. Making any ruling voluntary so these companies can abuse them to their hearts content - and protecting their interests by NOT putting any extra "Fat Taxes" or "Alcohol Taxes" in order to stop people killing themselves.
It's the way I read it - correct me if I'm wrong!
Basically it's Government and big business getting together and "Business" as usual.
I wonder what other companies might be brought in to help with policy? Co-op Funeral Care to help with the Health Service? (From a purely mutual perpective, naturally!?)
EA Games to advise on Military policy?
My favourite would be the Campaign for Real Ale to take over Alcohol policy, personally. Just think - Specialist Hotels with Hot and cold running Youngs in the bathroom!
Any others?
