Children's foods could cause health problems, says consumers group

Children who eat a regular diet of food which is specifically targeted at children could face future health problems, the Consumers' Association has said.

According to the association's 'honest labelling shop' report, regular consumption of these products could "ultimately lead to a range of health problems from diabetes to tooth decay and cancer".

Some food products featuring health claims were found to be high in sugar, fat and/or salt. Kellogg's Frosties Turbos claim that its benefits include healthy bones and heart health, but this cereal contains five times as much sugar as similar products in the adult market such as Kellogg's Cornflakes, the association said.

The Consumer Association claimed that a number of products had misleading or confusing labels and limited nutrition labelling. Wild Capri-Sun Blackcurrant Juice Drink claims an "abundance of blackcurrants", but the product only contains 5.1% blackcurrant, with a similar amount of apple, the report found.

Tayto's Postman Pat Prawn Cocktail Corn Snacks and Sainsbury's Blue Parrot Café Mild Chicken Curry with Rice were also highlighted as examples of misleading labelling.

Sue Davies, Principal Policy Advisor, Consumers' Association, said: "It is unacceptable that ranges aimed at children are nutritionally poorer than adult versions. Food manufacturers and retailers need to change their practices to ensure that products marketed at children do not contain higher levels of sugar, fat or salt than standard adult versions.

"The conclusions of the dietician's analysis is shocking. To follow such a diet on a regular basis would be damaging to a child's health. It could increase their risk of becoming overweight as well as their risk of developing diseases such as tooth decay, diabetes and more worryingly, some cancers and heart disease later in life."

(gmcg)