Or perhaps, to be a bit more precise ten / twelve / sixteen / who knows – in just about every bit of unhealthy food pushed towards us these days. And more specifically towards the younger generations.
I suppose we should have expected significantly less than was promised, some ten years ago now, when David Cameron – whatever happened to him – said that it was time to change the way unhealthy foods are sold, and how much sugar is put in our foods.
Apart from taking an incredibly long time to do anything at all, the only fundamental change has been a sugar tax on drinks, announced in the Budget earlier this year.
Statements, intentions, discussions, determinations. We have had more than enough of those. And throughout the message from the non-food industry professionals and experts, such as those responsible for looking after our declining health standards and rising obesity, has been consistent. Reduce sugar content. Stop pushing unhealthy foods at children. Simple really.
Well yes, and no. Putting to one side the power and depth of the food industry lobby, there is the little matter of the government telling people what to do. The Tories, by nature, are non-regulatory. If you start stipulating sugar content and sales procedures, these require regulation. Unless you rely on voluntary cooperation, and see how well that has done so far.
Don’t forget, one of the ‘reasons’ we voted to leave the EU were the regulations – you know, the ones concerned with protecting our health and welfare – so let’s be realistic, there will be no more now.
If it was trade union operations the government would be, and have been, happy to regulate to the end of time. If it potentially puts a bit of stress on industry, commerce, business, then not a chance.
The joy of the free market is that, along with the goods bought and sold, the population also become commodities, and ones that can be ignored if enough noise is made about threats to the bottom line.
Shortsighted – certainly. Misguided – definitely. But hey, that’s business.
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