Hands off, Nicola!
Bakers warn SNP Ministers over ‘healthy’ plan to restrict sale of pies
SCOTLAND’S pie makers are mounting a fightback after pies were identified as the latest food items which could fall foul of moves to tackle obesity.
The Scottish Government last week launched a consultation on curbing supermarket meal deals and other promotions, opening the door to ending discounts on items deemed to be unhealthy.
Part of the consultation involves deciding whether or not to legislate against garlic bread, quiche and pies.
It follows moves to introduce mandatory calorie labelling, which have already been ‘overwhelmingly opposed’ by the industry’s leading trade body.
One award-winning pie maker, based in Sutherland, rejected the need for further regulations and warned Government restrictions would deplete jobs in alreadydelicate rural economies.
Corne Van Jaarsveld, general manager of the Lochinver Larder, launched a passionate defence of his company’s products and will use the consultation to set out the case for protecting Scotland’s pies. Writing in today’s Scottish Mail on Sunday, Mr Van Jaarsveld – whose company’s Highland venison and cranberry pie won a gold medal at this year’s British Pie Awards – says: ‘What we make is more than just a pie. It’s a work of art. We are very proud of what we produce.’
The consultation, which runs until September 23, seeks views on restricting the promotion of items including biscuits, confectionery, crisps and sugary soft drinks at checkouts and front-of-store, and on multi-buy discounts.
However, Ministers are considering going even further than the rest of the UK, where similar measures have been introduced, with the Scottish consultation also looking at garlic bread, quiches and pies.
A spokesman for industry body Scottish Bakers said: ‘We note the consultation and that one of the options is to restrict “pies and quiches”. Many of our members will be offering these product lines and indeed we celebrate the iconic Scotch Pie in the World Championship held each year.
‘Reformulating recipes or restricting promotions is not enough to tackle the obesity crisis. More emphasis needs to be placed on public education, enabling people to make better choices for themselves.’
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: ‘In Scotland, two out of three adults are overweight or obese, with those living in poorest areas more likely to be overweight. We know promotions can encourage over-consumption and impulse buying. By restricting the promotion of less healthy food and drink, we can better support people to make healthier choices.’