Written answers

Wednesday, 25 May 2005

Department of Agriculture and Food

Food Industry

9:00 pm

Photo of Paul GogartyPaul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the concerns expressed in the media regarding the rise of obesity here; and if she will not endorse obesogenic food companies such as those involved with the Government endorsed Nutrition and Health Foundation. [17406/05]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The report of the national task force on obesity is to be welcomed and I congratulate John Treacy and his team on their professional approach to their task.

Obesity is an immensely important issue for the future health of our society. It demands a multi-faceted response, including a proactive approach by the food industry. As the report bears out, there is no single or simple solution to tackling the problem of obesity. This problem must be approached with the full participation of all players, Government, health authorities, educationalists, industry and, of course, the individual. The participation and co-operation of all these stakeholders is essential if we, as a nation, are to meet the challenge of obesity. For that reason, I share the sentiments expressed by the Taoiseach when launching the report of the national task force on obesity that the IBEC initiative to establish the Nutrition and Health Foundation reflects the desire of the food industry to play a responsible role.

The Nutrition and Health Foundation is an IBEC initiative involving industry, educators, scientists, various Government Departments and State bodies that seeks to inform the public on the variety of issues from healthy lifestyles to nutritional labelling. It has close links with the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance, IUNA, Trinity College, University College Cork and the University of Ulster at Coleraine and will disseminate its messages in a non-branded evidence based fashion. The question, therefore, of this foundation endorsing individual companies does not arise. In fact, this type of multi-stakeholder platform at national level is very much in line with the recently established EU platform for action on diet, physical activity and health.

I will continue to support our valuable food industry in its efforts to secure markets at home and abroad for wholesome and quality food products. The overwhelming message from the report of the national task force on obesity is the desirability of a correct balance between healthy eating and appropriate physical activity. The food pyramid, which shows the optimum proportions of the various food groups, remains the yardstick and a variety of foods is important for healthy eating.

Healthy eating coupled with appropriate physical activity is key to combating the obesity problem. Physical exercise is not, by and large, part of the modern lifestyle and we do need to be reminded every so often to get active. The prevalence of childhood obesity is a cause for concern and the recommended 60 minutes of moderate physical activity per day is an achievable goal. The scientific study on children's diet carried out by IUNA, under the sponsorship of my Department's FIRM programme and the FSAI, also bears out the rising prevalence of obesity among the younger population.

This is the first comprehensive scientific evaluation of dietary intake in children in Ireland and provides direction for the dietary strategies that need to be established to prevent obesity in Irish children. Inadequate consumption of milk, fresh meat and fruit and vegetables were identified in the study. I believe that the Irish food industry is well positioned to supply and promote products to remedy this dietary deficiency. Ireland is at the cutting edge of food research and we can lead the food agenda to enhance the health and well being of our customers at home and abroad.

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