Lineker lets children down but Jamie's a star, say parents

Citation

(2003), "Lineker lets children down but Jamie's a star, say parents", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 33 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2003.01733dab.003

Lineker lets children down but Jamie's a star, say parents

Lineker lets children down but Jamie's a star, say parents

A Parents Jury has found Gary Lineker guilty of using his star status to promote unhealthy fatty and salty foods to children, whilst Jamie Oliver received a "Food Hero Award" for using his celebrity status to encourage children to enjoy good food.

A joint award was also given to Weetabix and porridge for being "better breakfasts". But Kellogg's Coco Pops received a "Breakfast Battles Award" for causing conflicts between sweet-toothed children and worried parents.

The Parents Jury, with a membership of over 1,200 parents, is co-ordinated by the UK's leading food watchdog, the Food Commission. The Jury reached their verdicts in the latest round of Children's Food Awards, which looked at the marketing techniques aimed at children.

"Millions of pounds are spent on marketing foods to children because manufacturers know that children have an enormous influence on what their parents buy", explains Parents Jury co-ordinator and nutritionist, Annie Seeley. "It's a shame so few manufacturers, advertisers or celebrities are acting responsibly. They are promoting poor quality foods and giving confused nutritional messages to children. The mothers and fathers on the Parents Jury say this isn't good enough – their children's health is being undermined and they are fighting back to stop the rot."

The Parents Jury was set up in March 2002 to help parents voice their concerns about the quality of children's food and the ways in which products are marketed. All parents with children aged between 2 and 16 are welcome to take part.

Contact: The Parents Jury, 94 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF, or visit the Web site at: www.parentsjury.org.uk

More details from: Annie Seeley or Kath Dalmeny, Tel: 020 7837 2250; E-mail: parentsjury@foodcomm.org.uk

Visit the Web site at: www.parentsjury.org.uk for lots more quotes, nutritional statistics and background information.