1. Soda Wars Robin Ireland, Director, Food Active.
ASO NW, Liverpool, December 2015

3. Reduce and rebalance price promotions
Reduce marketing of high sugar products to children
Agree a definition for high sugar foods
Programme of gradual sugar reduction and reduced portions
Price increase of 10-20% tax on high sugar products
Adopt Govt buying standards for food across public sector
Training available to those who influence food choices in LAs
Raise awareness of concerns around sugar levels

4. Sugar Awareness Week, 30th Nov – 6th Dec

5. 30th November 2015

6. Health Committee: “Childhood obesity – brave and bold action”
Controls on price promotions of unhealthy food and drink
Tougher controls on marketing and advertising
Reformulation programme to reduce sugar
A sugary drinks tax
Labelling showing sugar content in teaspoons
Improved education and information
Universal school food standards
Greater powers for local authorities to tackle the obesogenic environment
Early intervention to offer help to families

7. Granada Reports, 30th November 2015

8. House of Commons Petitions Debate
“Having looked at the matter, there is no doubt in my mind that we face a very serious situation. I am lucky to be one of a fortunate generation that saw advances in housing and sanitation, and mass vaccination programmes that eradicated or reduced the incidence of many diseases from which children used to suffer. However, we are now in danger of raising a generation who will have a lower life expectancy than that of their parents. The reason for that is down to diet, with too much fat and too much sugar”. Helen Jones, MP for Warrington North, 30 November 2015

9. The scale of the problem – overweight and obesity in primary school years

10. Obesity and deprivation

11. What can be done at Local Authority level?
Children and adults should have access to healthy food in care settings including hospitals, schools, nurseries, residential care.
Local authorities should procure food and drink intelligently (both in-house and in public venues)
Town planning needs to encourage active travel and restrict fast food outlets wherever possible
Local authorities should consider not accepting funding associated with industries that produce food and drinks high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.

13. Local Authority Declaration on Healthy Weight
Based upon the principle of the Local Authority Declaration on Tobacco Control from ASH
Support and develop action locally on sugary drinks and/or junk food / commercial determinants
The declaration will aim to support Local Government to take action to prevent excess weight and secure the health and wellbeing of residents
The declaration will require Local Government officers and politicians to support the implementation of policies that will encourage healthy weight.

15. Local Authority Declaration on Healthy Weight – Discussion at various stages in:
Blackpool
Halton
Knowsley
Lancashire
Liverpool
St Helens

16. Partnerships are critical …. in Liverpool
Liverpool Food People are a network group of composters, buyers, farmers, public health specialists, growers, community workers, bakers, environmentalists, cooks, school food workers, researchers, food waste specialists, restaurateurs, and beekeepers that represent Liverpool’s diverse and blossoming sustainable food culture.
Part of the Sustainable Food Cities Network:

17. Sugar Smart Cities
An effort, initially focused on Brighton, to focus local efforts to reduce sugar consumption.
Restaurants and cafes encouraged to add a voluntary levy to their sugary drinks. Revenues of the levy then donated to the Children’s Health Fund.
Encourage the removal of sugary drink vending from high-profile areas.
Schools encouraged to run ‘snack swaps’.
Targets for overall sugar reduction.

18. Children’s Health Fund
Set up by Jamie Oliver and Sustain.
Aims to get restaurants and cafes to put a 10p sugary drinks levy on non- alcoholic soft drinks on their menu with added sugar.
Revenues raised will be paid into the Children’s Health Fund which will then distribute grants to programmes and schemes aimed at improving children’s health and food education.

19. It’s time to GULP!
In the North West of England we designed a campaign to #GiveUpLovingPop!

20. Give Up Loving Pop! Strong brand Overwhelming positive response
Feedback from teenagers, parents, teachers and community food workers
Name checked in ‘Soda Politics’
Now showing Blackpool, Burnley, Oldham, St Helens … and Guernsey. Available for local use

21. Give Up Loving Pop!
Briefing sheets on energy drinks, sports drinks etc. published in November – see uk
A Quick Swig animation film launched on 4th December

22. Local initiatives in sugar reduction in times of austerity …
Will local authorities still be able to provide public health funding?
Other funding?
Great examples in Sugar Smart Cities and a Local Authority Declaration on Healthy Weight.
Whole Systems Approaches ….

23. In early 2016, the Government will be publishing its Childhood Obesity Strategy
What would Food Active like to see?
Three ‘asks’ to start with:
More controls on advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) to children.
A tax on sugary drinks.
More powers for local authorities to exercise planning controls on food and drink outlets.

24. And what will be Food Active’s Response?
How can we support the local authorities in the North West?
Help to develop a ‘Whole Systems Approach’ to Addressing Healthy Weight.
Ensure sugar and sugary drinks are kept at high profile in the media.
Maintain evidence briefings and sharing good practice through websites, social media and events.

25. Thank you
Robin Ireland Director, Food Active & CEO, Health Equalities