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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Sophie Collins

RTE Claire Byrne viewers all saying the same thing as experts call for price hike on sweets amid obesity issue

Claire Byrne viewers have taken to social media in hoards as one segment tonight focused on putting a higher price on sweets and treats as Ireland copes with rising obesity figures.

The host was joined live in-studio by experts on the subject of obesity and nutrition as they showed exactly what kids can buy for as little as €5 in popular shops.

The guests purchased sweets from Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, Euro Giant, and Dealz for under a small budget, and most ended up equalling over 2,000 calories.

READ MORE: RTE Claire Byrne Live viewers horrified as mum says toddler was left with broken shoulder after being hit by scrambler in public park

Ireland has been named in the top ten countries for obesity by the World Health Organisation, and so some are now calling for a minimum pricing unit on calorific foods to help curb the issue.

Droves of viewers began chiming in on Twitter, with one writing: “So we all have to suffer not being allowed to eat junk food if we want, because some parents are crap at being parents and can't/won't stop their kids eating way more junk food than they should?”

Another wrote: “Why would we ban treats from shops because some parents are allowing their children to gorge on them?”

A third said: “So now they want to attack munchies. It was beer last month its munchies this month. I'm more than capable of deciding how much crap my child eats or I eat.

“Putting the price up won't change that.”

Among the hundreds of comments was a fourth that read: “BRB, heading to Tesco with a 5er. Amount of sweets on that tray.”

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