Parents Warned On Misleading Labels

The Age

Tuesday February 6, 2007

JILL STARK

PARENTS are being urged speak out on misleading food labelling after a Cancer Council survey found many products claiming to be fat-free contain too much sugar, in some cases more than 50 per cent.

The findings show that popular brands sold as 97 per cent to 99 per cent fat-free are often no healthier than full-fat alternatives.

Sugar was listed in the top five ingredients of 13 products, and four contained more than 50 per cent sugar. Muesli bars, desserts, lollies and cereals were among the worst offenders.

Terry Slevin, of the Cancer Council WA, who conducted the study in conjunction with Diabetes WA, said one of the biggest risks of "fat-free" foods was that people often ate bigger servings.

"The fat replacers added into these products mean they often don't trigger a full feeling very quickly so it's easy to overindulge and clock up the kilojoules, which contribute to weight gain," he said. -- JILL STARK

© 2007 The Age

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