London initiative to tackle sugar and unhealthy food announced today
Announced today at City Hall, the Local Government Declaration on Sugar Reduction and Healthier Food is a new initiative promoted by Sustain to help London local authorities tackle the proliferation and marketing of unhealthy food and drinks.
Despite the achievements of local authorities in London to improve the food available to residents, pupils and workers (see Good Food For London 2016 report), one in three children are overweight or obese by the time they start secondary school. In total more than 3.8 million Londoners are overweight or obese.
The aim of the Local Government Declaration on Sugar Reduction and Healthier Food is to achieve a public commitment to improve the availability of healthier food and to reduce the availability and promotion of unhealthier alternatives. It should be endorsed by the elected leaders of London boroughs and relevant senior officers such as directors of public health.
To sign the declaration the local authority has to commit to take at least six different actions across six key areas:
- Advertising and sponsorship
- Improve the food controlled or influenced by the council
- Reduce prominence of sugary drinks and promote free drinking
- Support businesses and organisations to improve their food offer
- Public events
- Raise public awareness
Action can include continuing support to existing initiatives as long as there is a commitment to new initiatives as well and can include those controlled or influenced by the council. In addition, the local authority commits to report on progress annually.
More information and downloadable resources, including a support pack and application form, are available at the dedicated webpage.
Published Monday 14 November 2016
London Food Link: London Food Link brings together community food enterprises and projects that are working to make good food accessible to everyone in London to help create a healthy, sustainable and ethical food system for all.
