Bananas impress but Coke falls flat

PARENTS love bananas for their kids’ meals, but Coke gets the thumbs down in a new consumer survey on children’s food.

Winners were announced yesterday in the Munch Awards, created by Island Bay mum and cookbook author Anna Bordignon and sponsored by philanthropist Gareth Morgan. More than 2000 consumers voted.

Coca-Cola claimed the dubious distinction of being the inaugural winner of the worst children’s food prize. One voter commented the beverage had ‘‘zero nutritional value and detracts from the nutritional value of other foods eaten’’.

Another said the drink was ‘‘made out to be OK for younger people, when it’s really, really, really not’’.

A spokesman for Coca-Cola said: ‘‘Because there are no particular criteria for this ‘award’, it’s quite difficult to comment on how our product compares with others. . . . We have more than 200 beverage options, and all of them, including Coca-Cola, can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle.’’

Fruit was all sweet as with voters – All Good Bananas were deemed the best kids’ food for their nutritional value and for being fairtrade. ‘‘Healthy, natural, compostable packaging, ethical and yummy,’’ one consumer commented.

The awards’ online polling also looked at marketing aimed at children, Mrs Bordignon said.

Sanitarium’s Weet-Bix Tryathlon advertising campaign got the tick from parents as best children’s campaign.

McDonald’s took the prize for worst marketing campaign for its advertising of Happy Meals. Mrs Bordignon said the adverts were an example of ‘‘smoke and mirrors’’ marketing.

‘‘Happy Meal campaigns link rewarding a child with a toy and unhealthy food choices.’’

A McDonald’s spokesperson said the fast food chain was proud of its Happy Meals, which had evolved over the years. ‘‘Now over 50 per cent of meals sold include a healthier choice . . .’’

The Homegrown Kitchen blog took the award for top food website for children and Kai Carriers was voted best kitchen product.