SNP create stir by listing porridge as ‘junk food’
Scottish ministers have scrambled to defuse a furious row after being accused of scoring “an own goal” by listing porridge oats in a crackdown on junk foods.
The SNP Government has faced an immediate backlash after including "porridge oats" in a proposal to cut down promotions for foods containing unhealthy amounts of salt, sugar and fat as it launched a public consultation as part of its healthier Scotland drive.
Launching her new consultation document, Jenni Minto, minister for public health and women’s health, said her “vision is of a Scotland where everyone eats well and has a healthy weight”. The consultation document included porridge and other oat-based cereals among a raft of foods to be subject to restrictions on retail promotions and placements within stores.
The document says: "Following careful consideration of the feedback received, we propose that the food categories within scope of promotions restrictions are – breakfast cereals, including ready-to-eat cereals, granola, muesli, porridge oats and other oat-based cereals."
But the inclusion of porridge, which Scots are said to have been eating for more than 5,000 years, in the list was attacked by critics, who warned it would be “nonsense to lump” porridge in with other unhealthier food choices.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “At this stage, these are proposals to restrict the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt aimed at supporting improvements in diet and health and wellbeing.”
Later, as a row brewed, the Government issued further clarification, saying: "Plain porridge oats are a healthy breakfast choice.
“Plain porridge oats would be determined as NON-HFSS [high fat, salt, sugar], so they would not be subject to any restrictions on promotion. The same applies to all food categories that are not high in fat, sugar or salt.”
Scottish Conservative deputy health spokesperson Tess White MSP said: “There is a huge irony in the SNP, who never tire about standing up for Scotland, turning their back on one of our iconic products. Rather than going after porridge and those who enjoy the benefits it brings, Humza Yousaf should go back to the drawing board and work out proper ways of promoting a healthy lifestyle among Scots."
Charlie Russell, founding director of Oat Company Scotland Ltd, said: “Oats are tried and tested – full of vitamins, antioxidants and fibre. Their health benefits, to name only a few include their ability to lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar, lose weight, reduce childhood asthma, help digestion and even improve skin health.”
He added: "I really have no idea why our own government would categorise oats with incomparable products."
Alan Rankin, of the annual Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship – and who has the title of Porridge Chieftain – said: “You have pinhead, oatmeal and rolled oats and to have any of these associated with unhealthy food is frankly nuts.”
Oats are full of vitamins, fibre and antioxidants Charlie Russell