A number of new rules around the sale of high-calorie and high sugar foods in Ireland could be in effect in the coming months as health officials call for action amid an obesity crisis.
As well as a potential hike in the cost of foods deemed unhealthy, a ban on meal deals at shops and garages across the country has also been suggested.
This comes after the World Health Organisation placed Ireland in the top ten countries struggling with obesity.
New figures released show 65% of Irish people are now considered to be overweight - which is defined as someone being above the weight considered normal or desirable for their height and gender.
According to a report published by the HSE last week, one of the actions that could be taken is a complete ban on meal deals in a bid to discourage overeating.
Although the subject is flooding the news at the moment, it is already well established that obesity is a significant problem in Ireland.
Therefore, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan was developed to address policy and intervention options in preventing and managing overweight and obesity issues.
Some of the measures taken and being undertaken as a result of this policy are:
- publishing a Reformulation Roadmap and establishing a Reformulation Task Force
- a code of practice in relation to advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of food and drink
- a media campaign to communicate practical solutions for parents to adopt in order to tackle the everyday habits that are associated with excess weight in childhood
- revising the Healthy Eating guidelines
- developing Healthy Eating guidelines for 1-5-year-old children
- treatment guidelines for overweight and obesity
- calorie posting in restaurants
There is also a current Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) which came into effect back on May 1, 2018, and applied to water and juice-based drinks.
This was then extended with effect from 1 January 2019 to include certain plant protein drinks and drinks containing milk fats.
Meanwhile, the HSE's clinical lead on obesity has called for meal deals to be made illegal in order to encourage people to make better food choices.
Dr Donal O'Shea said Ireland is at a "tipping point" in the battle against obesity, and that many Irish people are not classed in the healthy weight bracket for their height.
Therefore there may be moves to ban meal deals, found in supermarkets and petrol stations.
Most offer a food and drink bundle at a reduced price, which usually includes a sandwich, soft drink, and a bar of chocolate or a packet of crisps.
Speaking to Newstalk recently, Dr O'Shea said these deals almost always include solely unhealthy food options and therefore should be banned.
"Literally, that should be illegal.
"The industry has the statistics and they know how to prompt and promote consumption," he explained.
“We just have to be super aware of that and try to resist it.
"Those buy one get one free offers are always around the high fat, high salt, high sugar stuff, never around fruit.”
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