Call for control of functional foods

20 June 2000



Call for control of ‘functional’ foods

THE Consumers association is calling for tighter controls on foods which are claimed to offer health benefits.

The association says the governments Food Standards Agency should be responsible for checking for proper proof of these “functional foods”.

Sue Davies, principal policy adviser at the Consumers Association, said that it was possible these foods could be beneficial.

But they should not be an excuse to market foods high in fat or sugar, she told the BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme.

She called for a system of mandatory approval to make sure health claims are vetted before they go on products, and wanted the FSA to take an active role.

The Consumers Association is already involved in the voluntary Joint Health Claims Initiative to tackle this issue.

Ms Davies warned the highly processed, heavily marketed functional foods could confuse people into thinking these products were a quick fix to a healthy lifestyle.

“These products have a role to play within a balanced diet, but it is important they are promoted within that context,” she said.

The FSA said it will look at the Joint Health Claims Initiative and the EU launches its initiative on functional foods next year.

Meanwhile, Shetlands lamb producers claim research by the Scottish Agricultural College shows naturally reared Shetlands lamb is higher in beneficial fatty acids than sheep raised on concentrates.