A mother feeds her son. COMMIT have warned that meals and snacks aimed at children in the region often contain high levels of sugar. UNICEF
The Consortium for Improving Complementary Foods in Southeast Asia (COMMIT) has discovered that 72 per cent of snacks and ready-to-eat meals for children under 3 in seven Southeast Asian countries contain added sugar, which can lead to tooth decay and weight gain in young children.
COMMIT is composed of UN agencies, including UNICEF, and civil society organisations (CSOs). It was formed to assess nutrient gaps in the diets of young children in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
A study was conducted of snacks and meals which are widely advertised or marketed to or for young children. The results were released on December 14.
“The study found that nearly half of the products studied [44 per cent] included added sugars or sweeteners. Among snacks and finger foods, this rose to 72 per cent. Eating high-sugar foods at a young age can lead to tooth decay, weight gain and poor eating habits,” said the report.
In addition, nearly 90 per cent of labels on the products studied included potentially misleading or deceptive claims about their composition.
In terms of regulation, the study noted that none of the seven countries had national policies on the composition and labelling of commercially produced complementary foods which follow international guidance. It said several countries did not have legal measures in place to regulate the sugar or salt content of commercially produced complementary foods.
Debora Comini, UNICEF regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement that in Cambodia, the Philippines and Laos, most products are labelled only in English, making it difficult for some parents to access information and ensure a nutritious diet for their children.
“Far too many of the food products being marketed to the youngest girls and boys are unhealthy and labelled in ways that may deceive parents,” she added.
“Governments and food producers can, and must, play a stronger role in safeguarding the health of the youngest children because good nutrition at a young age helps children grow and give them intellectual energy,” she continued.
She explained that poor nutrition increases the risk of stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity and disease, ultimately at a great cost not just to children and their families, but also to healthcare systems and economies
UNICEF and its COMMIT partners called for the prohibition of the use of added sugars and sweeteners, limiting sugar and sodium content, and prohibiting misleading marketing and labelling. They also urged governments to strictly monitor and enforce national regulations on commercially produced complementary foods.
Prime Minister Hun Manet recently explained that human resource development – one of his government’s top priorities – is based on knowledge, ability and health, so the supply of safe, high-quality food is a top priority.
