The Parents Jury is an independent jury of parents which seeks to improve the quality of children's foods and drinks in the UK. The Jury is co-ordinated by The Food Commission, an independent watchdog which campaigns for healthier, safer food in the UK.
The
Parents Jury campaign is not running any awards in 2005. Membership is
currently on hold but we would still like to hear from you if you care
about the food that you and your family eat. Email
us at parentsjury@foodcomm.org.uk
and we will make sure that you are kept up to date with any new Parents
Jury activities. Please note that we will NOT
pass your details onto any other organisations.
You will also find lots of useful information on the Food Commission's
website at www.foodcomm.org.uk
If you wish to support the campaign to improve the quality of children's food, please sign up in support of the Children's Food Bill campaign at www.childrensfoodbill.org.uk
Background
When we launched the Parents Jury in March 2002, we called it '12 Angry Parents', and expected it to be a small-scale project, but we had seriously underestimated how strongly so many parents feel about children's food and food advertising.
Word quickly spread amongst parents and child carers, and soon the calls and letters were flooding in. And from what they said, we found out that parents are delighted that at last they have some way to make their voices heard.
The Parents Jury gives a voice to parents, who can decide what kinds of foods and drinks should be sold as suitable for children... and what foods and drinks should be kicked off the shelves. Members of the Parents Jury have now voted in two rounds of nominations, looking at products, projects and advertising practices that are particularly awful, and those that deserve praise.
We'd like to hear from all parents who feel strongly about the foods on offer for children, whether it's in the school canteen, in the supermarket, in vending machines or in cafés and restaurants.
We've already heard, for instance, from parents whose children attend schools where the only snacks on sale are chocolate, coke and crisps, even though the health lessons talk about a balanced diet. Does this make any sense for children? Parents don't think so.
We've also heard from parents saying that they're sick of toddlers nagging them for sweets displayed at the supermarket checkout. Of course, parents can say no, but why should they have to play the role of big bad mum or dad? The sweets shouldn't be there in the first place!
Parents have told us about the lack of choice for children in motorway service stations. Try spending a long afternoon in a car with a child hyped up on fizzy drinks and additive-laden foods. No fun at all.
And parents have told us about adverts on TV and in child's comics promoting junky foods in a 'cool' way that encourages children to think they'll be left out if their mum or dad doesn't buy it for them.
If you recognise any of these scenarios, or if you have stories of your own to tell us about children's food or children's food advertising, we want to hear from you. Together, we can tell food manufacturers, regulators and advertisers what parents feel and ensure that we get better food and a healthier future for all our children.
Annie Seeley
Parents Jury Co-ordinator
The Children's Food Awards 2002
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I am so pleased you have been set up - I sometimes want to scream when I see what dreadful food is being marketed to kids. mother of two, from West Harrow I was very pleased that the first round of the Parents Jury seemed to get such a huge and positive response, both from parents and the press! Do please keep me informed. doctor, from Muswell Hill, London I feel very strongly about the issue of child nutrition. Just reading about your food awards in the newspaper was useful. mother of one, from London How wonderful that people care enough to do something about this - I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle at the moment! mother of two, from Penrith, Cornwall I am very interested in being involved in the Parents Jury. I read the results from this year and agreed 100% with the findings. I think it is really important to highlight healthy eating for children... well done! mother of two, from Glasgow I would like to join the Parents Jury. Our daughter isn't two yet but it's such an excellent project and I would love to be part of it. Well done to everyone that helped set this all up. mother of one, from Croydon |