Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The task force is doing a lot of work with industry, but industry is not out in public saying they have reduced sugar or salt levels. They are not talking about it out there, but they have worked closely with the task force. Some of them are good and are interested in taking on the work the task force is doing. I referred to how obesity and overweight are at a higher level in the lower socio-demographic areas. One problem there is a higher number of fast-food outlets per head of population in those areas than in any other area, and there is a huge reliance on fast-food outlets. If we go to a fast-food outlet, as we all do from time to time, the first thing we are asked is if we want salt and almost a half-pound of salt is dumped on whatever we are purchasing. It is one of the things we seem to have accepted. While we cannot say to people they cannot go to a fast-food outlet, we should maybe be doing more work with fast-food outlets to get the message across to them as well. We also need to look at the planning process. Do we allow too many fast-food outlets in certain areas, and do we need to put a cap on that kind of activity? It is one area where we have not made any real effort and is something we should now look at. There is a lot of work being done between the task force and manufacturing with regard to reducing the levels of salt, sugar and saturated fat. Their target is set, and it is about both. We have also identified the priority foods we need to focus on, and what the main foods are. Another area we need to focus on is the importance of eating fruit. While we have made a lot of progress, we need to further emphasise that whole area. Safefood might like to comment on that.