Ultra-processed Food Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe
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Ultra-processed Food
Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe Excerpts(1 year, 6 months ago)
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Lord Markham (Con)
I thank my noble friend. We are focused on the sugar, salt and saturated fat content. It is not the fact that food is called ultra-processed, per se. We would not discourage people from eating whole- meal bread, but wholemeal bread is considered to be a processed food. The action we are taking is for a reduction in sugar, salt and saturated fat.
Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe (Lab)
The Minister is focusing on reducing fats, salt and sugar in meals. When are the Government going to reduce those elements in school meals for children?
Lord Markham (Con)
Absolutely. That is why we are at the highest level of free school meals for children ever. More than a third of children are now receiving free school meals, including all infant schoolchildren. The noble Lord is correct that a healthy start to life is vital, and if we can make sure that children are getting a good, nutritionally balanced school meal, that is a good start to life.