Health campaigners are calling for hard-hitting warning labels on everyday foods, new taxes on salty products, and a ban on junk food sponsorship of sports in order to combat rising deaths from heart disease. The British Heart Foundation is proposing these measures as part of a push to reduce premature deaths from heart attacks and strokes.
The BHF is also recommending other actions to address the UK’s poor diet, including banning junk food advertising on billboards and radio, and pressuring food manufacturers to make their products more nutritious by reducing levels of salt and sugar. These radical steps could potentially save 11,000 lives a year by 2035.
The charity’s plea comes in the wake of rising cardiac fatalities and a recent statement from Keir Starmer about tough action to address public health issues. The proposed measures include mandatory warning labels on food packaging, a ban on unhealthy product sponsors for sports events, and an extension of advertising restrictions on junk food.
The Food and Drink Federation acknowledges the need for bold action to address unhealthy diets and excess weight, but emphasizes the importance of involving healthcare providers and the third sector in addition to the food industry. The government has already introduced health checks in workplaces and plans to implement the tobacco and vapes bill to address smoking-related harms.
Overall, the BHF and other health organizations are urging the government to take ambitious steps to improve public health and prevent diseases like heart disease and obesity. By implementing these measures, they hope to make it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives and protect future generations from the devastating effects of heart disease.
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