In 2017, 14,500 tonnes of chocolate were sold for Easter in France, according to the Chocolate Union. The party is indeed the ideal opportunity to treat yourself to a little treat, and the French are obviously fond of it. On the other side of the Channel, the British too. But according to the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH), an independent British health organization, the eggs sold on this occasion would be put on the shelves too soon, relay it BBC. This would tempt families and encourage them to consume these high calorie products … while the hunt is not yet open!
“We recognize that special occasions such as Easter are a time for indulgence and treats., admits Shirley Cramer, Executive Director of the RSPH. However, it is clear that many stores and supermarkets are selling their products far too early. If supermarkets are serious about tackling the obesity epidemic, we urge them to change their marketing strategies, in the interests of people’s health. “
Temptations before their time
The independent body conducted a survey of 2,000 adults in the UK. And 68% of those polled say that vacations and special occasions are badly an opportunity for brands to market unhealthy food. A third claim that it makes them eat less healthily. They thus estimate, for 77% of in-between, that the putting on the shelves is much too early. It is not rare to see eggs appear … in January!
More than half of parents indicate that their children were often tempted by the Easter treats placed near the checkouts. The youngest are not the only ones to be tempted: 23% of those questioned admit having bought and devoured an entire Easter egg. And this, three weeks before the long-awaited date of the party and its small pleasures.
The RSPH urges traders to put a stop to early sales of seasonal products high in fat, salt and sugar. It also asks, more generally, that the sale of unhealthy products at the checkouts be stopped. A proposal contained in the British government’s plan to halve childhood obesity in England by 2030. Last February, junk food ads had for example been banned on transport in London. Across the country, one in four adults and one in five children aged 10-11 are considered obese.
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