Supermarkets must tackle obesity and waste - report

Feb 27 2008 by Sally Williams, Western Mail

THE Government must harness the supermarkets’ power if it is to tackle obesity, climate change and the nation’s growing rubbish mountain, a report claimed yesterday.

Too many supermarket practices are “unhealthy, unjust and unsustainable” and the Welsh Assembly Government needs to raise its game to achieve a greener food system, it says.

The Sustainable Development Commission’s review of government’s role in supporting sustainable supermarket food finds obesity and waste are being fuelled by multi-buy promotions, over-packaging and non-recyclable packaging.

The study entitled The Green, Healthy and Fair points out that while the Government maintains an official “hands-off” approach to supermarkets, it found 15 WAG and almost 100 Whitehall policy responsibilities related to supermarkets and food.

Professor Tim Lang, of the Sustainable Development Commission, said, “Government cannot resolve the problems of obesity, waste or climate change alone. Given the enormous influence wielded by supermarkets (more than 70% of UK groceries is sold by four supermarket chains – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons) working with them effectively is essential.

“Our research with supermarkets has shown that in areas such as climate change or recycling policy, they are often frustrated by the lack of clarity or long-term strategy on which they can plan for the future. Wales needs to take a long view.

“Today in the era of climate change, oil dependency, looming global water shortage, fish-stock crises, biodiversity and public health challenges, to aim purely for quantity of supply or cheapness at all costs is hopelessly inadequate.”

The commission claims that the five-a-day public health messages cannot succeed while high-calorie, low nutrient processed foods are promoted aggressively.

And it says supermarkets and consumers are confused over the relative merits of “local” food versus the value to overseas development of foods such as green beans air-freighted from Kenya.

So it calls on the Government to develop an enforceable definition of “local” food, to promote fair trade standard systems and to work with industry to develop a system of universal sustainability standards.

Welcoming the recommendations, Lindsey Kearton, of the Welsh Consumer Council, said, “We need to see the balance changing so healthier food becomes the more attractive option.

“Educating people on issues such as the food supply chain, seasonality and reducing food waste; as well as removing unsustainable products from supermarket shelves (so-called choice-editing) and reducing packaging on food, will also help us all to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.”

Trevor Datson, for Tesco, said the retail giant, where £1 in every £6 is said to be spent in the UK, is leading the field in areas such as reduction of waste and excess packaging, on climate change, nutrition and combating obesity.

He said, “In fact, many of the pledges we have made and are on course to meet – such as a 50% reduction in the carbon footprint of our entire global estate by 2020 and a 25% reduction in packaging by weight by 2010 – far exceed the undertakings made by most other industries or indeed branches of government.

“We passionately believe that the most effective way of encouraging a more sustainable food system is to engage consumers by making green, healthy and fair trade products more accessible and affordable to them.

“There is plenty more for Tesco and others to do and we welcome the report’s recognition of the role of government in enabling and incentivising retailers to go further and faster in meeting the challenges of sustainability.”

The commission urges WAG, which is currently developing a Quality of Food Action Plan, to:

Work with the organisation Wrap to reduce packaging and food waste;

To set out a clear strategy to move Wales towards zero waste;

To harness the ‘choice-editing’ role of supermarkets;

To create a single, mandatory front-of-pack system of nutrient labelling;

To introduce a “water footprint” system;

To develop a strategic plan for greenhouse gas emissions across the food supply system in Wales to support the trajectory for at least 60% cut in CO² emissions by 2050; and

To develop a long-term vision for “low carbon” farming in Wales.

A spokesman for WAG said, “We welcome the publication of the SDC report and will look at the recommendations in detail.

“Tackling climate change and reducing waste are key priorities for the Assembly Government.

“We are really ambitious in terms of reducing waste and were the first part of the UK to announce 70% recycling targets. “We are currently seeking extra legislative powers from the UK government to tackle waste. The minister met with Wrap yesterday to discuss taking her ambitious agenda forward with retailers and will be meeting the Sustainable Development Commission today to discuss the report in detail.

“On climate change we have made a clear commitment to 3% annual emission reductions, and are developing comprehensive plans to deliver the target.”

Healthy search
Shoppers are seeking food and drinks that promise to optimise performance and boost health, despite being sceptical about the manufacturers’ health claims, according to a report out today.

A study by independent market analyst Datamonitor reveals that a lack of confidence in products with “artificial” e-number laden ingredients, means more consumers are opting for naturally healthy diets to boost their well-being.

So they are turning to “functional food” products such as Yakult, Benecol, Flora ProActiv, Actimel, Müller Vitality yoghurts and Tropicana Pure Premium Calcium, in a bid to keep their hearts, stomachs and bones fit.

Michael Hughes, consumer market analyst and the study’s author, said, “Current market conditions suggest the functional food market will continue to witness impressive growth rates. After all, changing social demographics and greater emphasis on maintaining health is driving the demand for foods rich in nutrients and minerals.

“Lifestyle changes are leading to younger consumers purchasing functional foods with greater regularity, to combat day-to-day health issues, such as sleep deprivation and skin blemishes.”

He said our “ageing society” is leading to older shoppers seeking out food and beverages that help fight disease, such as osteoporosis, and maintain a sense of physical vitality.

Meanwhile younger consumers are purchasing functional foods and drinks with greater regularity, for a quick-fix energy boost to help them to work longer hours than previous generations.

Datamonitor analysis reveals that the combined US, Western European and Asia-Pacific functional food and drink market is worth $72.3bn.

And it forecasts that this market will grow at 5.7% between 2007 and 2012, driven by consumers seeking products that claim to offer a solution to both long and short-term health problems.