Childhood obesity campaigners call for a sugar tax on chocolate trends now
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A target to cut sugar in children's snacks and meals has been missed by the food industry, in an 'abject failure' to tackle child obesity.
The Government's controversial Childhood Obesity Plan called on companies to cut sugar in products such as breakfast cereals, cakes and yoghurts by 20 per cent by 2020.
The programme was fiercely criticised for being voluntary, with no measures forcing the food industry to act.
Now a new report reveals companies have fallen well short of the 20 per cent sugar reduction - managing only 3.5 per cent by 2020.
The Government's controversial Childhood Obesity Plan called on companies to cut sugar in products such as breakfast cereals, cakes and yoghurts by 20 per cent by 2020
In response, campaigners are calling for a 'sugar tax' on snack foods like chocolate bars and sweets.
Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of campaign group Action on Sugar and Action on Salt, said requesting voluntary action from the food industry, to cut people's sugar intake by reducing packet sizes, changing recipes or promoting low-sugar products, 'simply does not work'.
He said: 'The UK faces an obesity crisis and one of the principle plans outlined by the Department of Health and Public
