Press
release: 27th January 2003
Football sells out to junk food brands
Premier League football
clubs and national football organisations are allowing their school-linked
health promotion activities to be compromised by fast-food, confectionery
and soft drinks companies, according to a new survey by the Food Commission,
published today in the Food Magazine.
In a Football ‘Food
League’ Table, the Food Commission warns nine Premier League clubs
that they are in danger of relegation for promoting junky foods and
drinks to children. Teams criticised included Manchester United for
its high-profile link-up with Pepsi, Tottenham Hotspur for working with
McDonald’s, and Sunderland City for accepting sponsorship from
Coca Cola and McDonald’s.
The sport’s
coordinating body, the Football Association, was singled out as one
of the worst offenders, for circulating nutrition advice to schools
and football academies written and sponsored by Mars and promoting Snickers
chocolate bars, which are high in fat and sugar.
(1)
“None of the
food brands promoted by Premier League clubs and the Football Association
should be eaten by footballers in the run-up to a game,” said Annie
Seeley, nutritionist and campaigns officer for the Food Commission.
“With rising levels of obesity and diabetes in children, top footballers
could be excellent role models for children, demonstrating the link
between good diet and good health. But instead we see adverts showing
top players from Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers drinking Pepsi,
the Premier League logo on Walkers Crisps, and the Football Association
encouraging children to eat chocolate bars and wear McDonald’s
branded football kit.”
The only Premier
League Team found to be offering unbiased health advice to children,
without compromise from junk food sponsorship, was West Ham. The club
offers an education programme sponsored by SportsMatch and RailTrack,
involving children in physical exercise and giving nutrition advice
under the title: “An Active Life + A Healthy Balanced Diet = Healthy
Living.”
[1.
Food Standards Agency nutrition advice states that 20g per 100g is “a
lot” of fat, and 10g per 100g is “a lot” of sugar. Snickers
bars contain 27g of fat and an estimated 50g of sugar per 100g.]
Back
to top
Further information:
020 7837 2250 or click here for more
information
Also
in this edition of the Food Magazine:
Salty foods
threaten child health: Food Commission survey
shows that processed foods are as salty as ever, and many children’s
foods contain more salt in a single serving than the recommended daily
maximum intake (see pages 8 & 9).
Investing in
obesity: Investment bank warns of falling share prices and gives
“obesity rating” to 14 international food companies (see page
7).
Cyclamate to
go – only five years late: Food Standards Agency admits children
many consume unacceptable levels of artificial sweetener (see page 3).
QUIDs –
weak regulations are poorly implemented: Food Commission survey
shows regulations meant to inform consumers are being flouted by manufacturers
(see pages 11-14).
Back
to top
