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Shops urged to change Easter egg marketing to help tackle obesity

DCUK NewsBot

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Shops are being urged to stop selling Easter eggs on sale so early to help tackle rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. A survey carried out by the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) showed that one in four people have already eaten at least one full-size egg and 50% have eaten an Easter themed chocolate treat. In some supermarkets, the seasonal goods are available to buy straight after Christmas and 77% of those who were asked in the survey said this is far too early. Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the RSPH, said: "We recognise that special occasions such as Easter are a time for indulgence and treats. However, it is clear that many shops and supermarkets are pushing products way too early - it isn't uncommon to find Easter eggs on sale in the first week of January. "Our research suggests that the public find this mildly irritating and it is just putting unnecessary temptation out there, particularly for children. "If supermarkets are serious about tackling the obesity epidemic, we would urge retailers to change their marketing strategies in the interest of the public's health." Health campaigners are calling for the early sale of Easter eggs to be banned, particularly as they account for three quarters of an adult's daily calorie intake. The government introduced a sugar tax last year to drive down sugary drink consumption, and cutting down on high-sugar foods such as Easter eggs is important to prevent weight gain and rises in blood glucose levels. Louise Meincke, head of policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, said: "Advertising and selling Easter eggs weeks, and sometimes even months, in advance of the holiday is just another tactic used by industry to encourage people to make unhealthy choices. This is unacceptable during the current global obesity crisis. "We want the Government to lead the way by implementing policies that make our daily environments healthier. This would help parents give their children the best start in life by reducing their risk of cancer and other health conditions associated with obesity." Visit our award-winning Low Carb Program for recipe ideas and tips on how to eat enjoyable food over Easter without consuming high amounts of sugar.

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So useless parents given another "out" to excuse their own lack of discipline. Spare the rod and all that
 
Fresh eggs for free would help. The accessories to decorate or change it to less dry edible would more than cover their loss.
I know in Africa organic eggs were very very cheap. My stable diet even in Lagos.
 
Hmmm. I agree it’s a little irksome that Easter is promoted so early, but to be honest I think we have better things to worry about considering that we’re all encouraged to consume huge quantities of glucose and fructose the moment we step out of bed every morning.

It’s definitely not great to encourage excessive sugar consumption on top of all that, but I feel like the priorities may be a little muddled here.
 
ickihun said:
Fresh eggs for free would help. The accessories to decorate or change it to less dry edible would more than cover their loss.
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Who's going to pay for that, the NHS?
 
Tipetoo said:
Who's going to pay for that, the NHS?
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No, the shopper. By buying the above. The nhs doesn't buy anyone's groceries. Not I've ever heard.
They are a health service not social services.
I'm flummoxed you would suggest nhs. Has someone been pulling your leg?
 
I use to work in a supermarket and the amount of junk kids use to buy going to school was horrendous. All there dinner money on sweets crisps fizzy drink and yes Easter eggs . Then they would be back again at lunchtime and after school .
 
tina_marie said:
I use to work in a supermarket and the amount of junk kids use to buy going to school was horrendous. All there dinner money on sweets crisps fizzy drink and yes Easter eggs . Then they would be back again at lunchtime and after school .
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At school I used to be friends with morning Mars bar lovers. Crisps too.
I was never hungry on a morning as I was allowed to eat a lot at suppertime.
 
ickihun said:
No, the shopper. By buying the above. The nhs doesn't buy anyone's groceries. Not I've ever heard.
They are a health service not social services.
I'm flummoxed you would suggest nhs. Has someone been pulling your leg?
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Hi @ickihun in supermarkets, including Tesco and Morrison's they encourage shopper's to take a piece of fruit for their children to eat. for free, I am not against this, but wouldn't it be great it they offered an egg or two, or a swapsy ? and before anyone says something negative or argumentative, chill and have a day off...............
 
tina_marie said:
I use to work in a supermarket and the amount of junk kids use to buy going to school was horrendous. All there dinner money on sweets crisps fizzy drink and yes Easter eggs . Then they would be back again at lunchtime and after school .
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I have seen this type of thing a few years ago travelling by bus on my way to work in the morning, with a bottle of coke, or Red Bull with crisps, sweets or chocolate !! Actually one time, a lad was rolling up ciggys for the other two school kids !!
 
Robinredbreast said:
I have seen this type of thing a few years ago travelling by bus on my way to work in the morning, with a bottle of coke, or Red Bull with crisps, sweets or chocolate !! Actually one time, a lad was rolling up ciggys for the other two school kids !!
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It hasn’t changed there still doing it now .
 
tina_marie said:
I use to work in a supermarket and the amount of junk kids use to buy going to school was horrendous. All there dinner money on sweets crisps fizzy drink and yes Easter eggs . Then they would be back again at lunchtime and after school .
Click to expand...
It seems some will always want what they are told they aren't allowed. Especially kids eh?
Everything in moderation can work better but even mine get extra treats in their grandparents absence or the cost of none food treats.
Ive started older one on pocket money. Which he uses on his play console or phone credit.
Its a parents nightmare..... Cheap sweets, with E numbers. I bought him a selection of American sweets via Morrisons for his birthday. Some ended in the bin due to E numbers and one made him vomit due to sweetness. I felt awful.
 
I am quite happy for the cost of white bread, pasta and sweets to truly reflect their cost i.e. including the cost of treating metabolic diseases down the line. That isn't 'nanny statism' just economics if we wish to have a health service where we pool the risks equally. We tax cigarettes even though not every smoker gets ill.

I have 3 kids and 1 of them is fat at age 13. They know not to beg for chocolate, biscuits and sweets and I have trained grandparents (still working on the juice issue though!). Happy to spend more for 1 decent egg each..
Love the idea of Make Omlettes Not Cadburys!
 
Yes its annoying Easter choc appears on the shelves after Christmas but just walk past. I never broke into my Easter egg before the day nor did my children. It is hardly special otherwise. Just be firm and learn to wait I say.
 
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