App will scan barcodes in push to get families into buying healthier food
An updated Government app will use barcodes to encourage families to switch to healthier food as part of heightened efforts to tackle Britain's child obesity crisis.
The new feature, announced today as part of the Better Health campaign, will scan selected shopping items and suggest alternatives with less saturated fat, sugar or salt.
Families using the NHS Food Scannerappwillalsobeshown a"goodchoice"badgeforitems which could help improve their diet, the UK Government Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
It follows a record rise in obesity among ten to 11-year-olds, with statistics revealing parents have been giving more unhealthy snacks to their children since the start of the pandemic.
Anewsurveyconductedjointly by the department and Netmums,aukparentingwebsite, suggests that nearly six in ten parents are feeding their children more sugary or fatty food since coronavirus struck.
Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle, who has backed the campaign alongside dietician Dr Linia Patel, said: "As a busy working mum, I find it hard to say no to my kid's demands and oftengiveintosnackpressure–even though I know it's not that good for them.
"Ihadnoideasomefoodswere so high in sugar, saturated fat and salt – so it's great that the app gives you alternatives."
Public health minister Maggie Throup recognised the "pressure" faced by families throughout the pandemic and said dietary habits had "drastically changed" as a result. "The new year is a good time for making resolutions, not just for ourselves, but for our families. Finding ways to improve their health is one of the best resolutions any of us could make," she said. Dralisontedstone,chiefnutritionist at the DHSC said advertisementspromotingunhealthy foodtochildrenwerecontributing to the problem.
"It's not surprising that parents say they've often found it hard to resist pestering from their children for more unhealthy snacks, and that is whythenhsfoodscannerapp is a great tool to help families make quick and easy healthier swaps," Dr Tedstone said.
"It's so important that children reduce the amount of sugary,fattyandsaltyfoodstheyeat to help them stay healthy and reduce the risk of health problemssuchasdiabetesandtooth decay."